Welcome to the Bat Conservation Trust's page!

Please note that volunteer places are available on a first come first served basis. Once all available spaces on our training days have been filled, you will be put on a reserves list. We will notify you if you have been placed on the reserves list. The deadline for applications is midnight on Monday 31^st March 2025.

Why get involved?

Bats are amazing animals and an important part of our natural environment. There are 18 species of bat in the UK, all of which are protected by law because their numbers have decreased so dramatically. BCT operates a National Bat Helpline to provide almost 15 000 enquirers a year with easily accessible and accurate information, including getting injured bats to the care they need. The Helpline’s role in advising and supporting people who come into contact with bats is an important part of BCT’s work towards our vision...

...of a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together.

We are fast approaching the time of year when bats become more active and our Helpline becomes very busy with members of the public calling about bats in need of help. To ensure that as many bats as possible are helped during this critical time, we are now recruiting volunteers to the Volunteer Bat Care Helpline (VBCH).

About the role

As a volunteer on the VBCH, you take on Bat Watches in which you will answer calls from members of the public who have found grounded, injured or lost bats. You will provide advice on a range of situations and put bat finders in touch with local bat care volunteers where possible. We consistently receive feedback from volunteers that it is a very rewarding experience, and many enjoy it so much that they return to volunteer the next season.

You do not need to have prior experience in conservation to volunteer, as full training and support is provided. Anyone who is interested in helping bats is welcome to apply! Volunteering for the Helpline is a great way to get involved in conservation from the comfort of your home and during your spare time.  

Commitment

We hope that volunteers will be able to sign up to 2-3 Bat Watches per month between May – September.

A Bat Watch is up to 4 hours (including 30mins break), please see below for Bat Watch times:

* - please note these are during office hours.

All you need is:

• A computer with internet access (or a tablet, although a computer is preferable)
• A speaker/mic or headset to use with your computer, as phone calls will be received using an internet app on your machine
• A phone with reliable reception for contacting support staff where needed

Skills and abilities

• Competent in using computers and entering data onto an online form
• Accurate record-keeping
• Interest in UK wildlife and conservation, as well as animal welfare
• Affective communication skills and ability to reassure members of the public during calls
• Willingness to spend additional time reading training materials and keeping up to date with communications form the project coordinator

Training and support

Returning summer volunteers (2023 or 2024) will receive a refresher training video. Each new or returning summer volunteer (pre-2023) must attend one online training day in April as well as complete some introductory online training in their own time. This year’s training dates are:

Saturday 5^th April

Tuesday 8^th April

Thursday 10^th April

Training days will run between 10:30am and 2:30pm with breaks.

All volunteers will also receive a comprehensive manual and full support from BCT staff during their assigned Bat Watches and throughout the season.

During the virtual training day, we will provide an induction explaining what we do and how volunteers fit within our organisation. We will also provide training to assist you to meet the standards we expect from volunteers.

BCT will reimburse certain "out of pocket" expenses where required.

Benefits of volunteering with BCT

• Supporting and learning about the work of the leading NGO in the UK solely devoted to the conservation of bats
• Developing transferable skills that can help enhance your CV
• Developing confidence in speaking to members of the public
• Learning about opportunities to get involved in other aspects of bat conservation
• Learning more about our fascinating UK bats!

You can read the project description and volunteering details here.

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of the Helpline services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role description does not form part of any contract of employment. We are unable to take applications from individuals under the age of 18.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of applicants.