Voluntary Action South West Surrey

Are you interested in helping with the practical management of some of Surrey's most important and beautiful habitats, whilst learning about the wonderful wildlife they support? Then our mid-week conservation group could be just the thing.

Our friendly mid-week group meets on Tuesdays to carry out practical conservation tasks on our nature reserves in and around Surrey. During the winter, this consists mostly of scrub clearance (complete with warming bonfire), whilst in the summer it varies from infrastructure work (mending fences, installing gates etc.), clearing bracken, creating areas of bare sand and conducting reptile surveys. It's the perfect excuse to get out in the fresh air and get some rewarding exercise.

Volunteers need to provide suitable outdoor clothing (including boots and waterproofs) and bring their own packed lunch, but we provide everything else - including tea and biscuits. Volunteers with also need to arrange their own transport to and from the Witley Centre at the beginning and end of tasks. However, we are located near to Milford railway station. 

Applications from students (aged 14 and over) undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh Award would be welcome.

All tasks are supervised by staff and no previous experience is required - just enthusiasm! Informal training on practical conservation skills, species ID and habitat management are always provided. There may also be the opportunity to provide more formal, structured training for committed long-term volunteers. Unfortunately, as we are a small charity, we are not able to reimburse travel expenses.

Whether you're available for a few hours or a full day, your help would be greatly appreciated. If you would like any more information, or to ask any questions, please contact us by pressing the 'sign up' button

Our Practical Conservation Group Volunteers make a real difference to their local environment. Without them, many threatened butterflies and moths could be lost forever.

At Butterfly Conservation, we want to create a world where butterflies and moths are enjoyed by everyone, forever. Our Group Volunteers help ensure that their local site is a haven for wildlife and the people who enjoy it. Working with other volunteers doing hands-on, practical work, they make sure the site is right for butterflies by cutting, raking or digging.

There’s often a bonfire and refreshments, too!

You will enjoy physical work and have the chance to see the results of your efforts both on the day and in the following spring and summer when the butterflies and moths return. You don’t need to know anything about butterflies or moths to get started, but will have the chance to learn about them and other wildlife.

Without our volunteers and especially our Fundraising Groups we wouldn’t be able to support people living with sight loss live their lives actively, independently, and well. We are looking to build up the Fundraising Group in Guildford and really need several Deputy Group coordinators, to help organise the groups fundraising activities.

In this lead volunteer role, you would be a key contact for fundraising in the area, the role would involve speaking with local businesses about fundraising opportunities for example, at local shopping centres, supermarkets, local events; organise fundraising activities for example quiz nights, bowling nights, sponsored walks, murder mysteries or anything else you can think of. You would build good working relationships with other volunteers in your group and make sure fundraising policies and procedures are followed and records are maintained.

Guide Dogs would provide specific training for this role which includes Data Protection – GDPR training; Volunteer Coordinating training; and a Welcome Induction Event. You will also have a dedicated volunteer manager who can provide ongoing support; as well as being able to connect with a good network of other volunteers. We have some experienced volunteer Fundraising Group Coordinators who are only too happy to help with advice and support.

In return, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss by raising funds for our life-changing guide dogs and other vital services. You’ll also gain experiences, memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

To apply for this role, click 'fill in an application'.

As a fundraising volunteer for Guide Dogs, you’ll be part of a team in your local area that shares stories about what we do and raises vital funds to help people with sight loss live the life they choose. From planning events and helping at collections, to placing our iconic guide dog collection boxes with local businesses – you’ll get to hear inspiring stories, meet incredible people and dogs, and see the difference you’re making firsthand.

We’ve got volunteer roles to suit all passions, skillsets and schedules. You can make the role your own and you only need to take on as much as works for you.

You’ll have the full support of your team, a dedicated Guide Dogs volunteer manager, and you’ll also receive any training you might need to help you in your role. We also cover all reasonable expenses related to your volunteering.

In return, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss by raising funds for our life-changing guide dogs and other vital services. You’ll also gain experiences, memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

The Puppy Raiser role is a full-on volunteering role, whereby you look after a future life-changing puppy for a year, from when they are about 9 weeks old until they are around 18 months. You will play a huge role in the social development of the puppy, guiding him or her through training, socialisation, introduction of new environments and experiences, whilst providing a loving home. They are young puppies when they first arrive so all the usual toilet training, chewing etc does occur; but if you can cope with that it is such a rewarding role.

You will take your puppy along to monthly puppy classes where you will be supported with their training, we use a programme called Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) which is based on positive reinforcement. You will be supported by other puppy raisers as well as a dedicated volunteer manager.

Ideally you will have enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs, have someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25 – 40 kg), access to a car so that you can get your puppy used to travelling, the agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home and a safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.

You’ll get the rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog. The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme which can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training.

As a Puppy Fosterer you will be providing a puppy with a loving home for a short period of time, which can vary from a couple of days to a couple of months, all whilst giving them the care and support they need for their training. You will help reinforce their training by supporting their social development, introduce them to new environments and experiences and follow the training guidance provided by our Puppy Development Advisors and the training programme we use called Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) which is based on positive reinforcement.

Ideally you will have enough time to invest in looking after the puppy when they come to stay with you; have someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25 – 40 kg); access to a car so that you can get your puppy used to travelling; the agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home; and a safe secure area outside on gravel or concrete, for your puppy to go to the toilet.

You will get the satisfaction in knowing you are directly supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently and well by helping a puppy develop into a future life-changing guide dog. Our volunteers receive lots of support from their volunteer managers to help them implement the training modules with their puppy.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training.

Location: Remote (Work from Home)
Time Commitment: Flexible; events run at a variety of times including Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 10 AM and other monthly events (weekends/evenings).
Minimum Age: 18+

About Us:
The Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary is a charitable organisation dedicated to holistic healing and well-being. We offer both in-person and online healing events, ensuring accessibility to all.

Role Overview:
We’re looking for tech-savvy volunteers to help run our live online healing events via Zoom and Facebook Live. You’ll ensure smooth streaming, support hosts, and troubleshoot technical issues. No prior experience in healing is needed—just a passion for helping and a knack for technology!

What You’ll Do:

• Set up and manage Zoom meetings and Facebook Live sessions
• Provide real-time technical support during live events
• Monitor audio, video, and streaming quality
• Save and organise event recordings for future use

Skills & Requirements:

• Confidence using Zoom and Facebook Live (training provided)
• Ability to problem-solve technical issues quickly
• Clear communication skills to support event hosts
• Reliability and attention to detail

What We Offer:

• Full training and support from our friendly team
• The chance to be part of a meaningful cause
• Flexible volunteering you can do from home
• A great way to develop tech and event production skills

Interested?
We’d love to hear from you! 

Join us in bringing healing to more people, wherever they are!