Here at Secret World Wildlife Rescue we rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured or orphaned wildlife from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year!
We couldn't do this without the support from our amazing team of volunteers!
They help us with everything from collecting injured animals and bringing them to the centre, helping to keep those animal fed and clean during their stay with us, assisting with our education activities, organising amazing fundraising events to helping us in our charity shops.
We are currently looking for volunteers to help our Maintenance department and at our Charity shops in Burnham-on-sea, Glastonbury and Langport!
Please note, due to the seasonal nature of our work and the number of applications we have received, we don't have any more Day release work experience placements available this Autumn/Winter.
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Volunteer roles
Wildlife Care Assistant
Assisting our Animal care staff with feeding and cleaning on our different wildlife care sections.
Tasks involve the handling (minimal) and capture of animals for assessment and transport, cleaning enclosures to a good hygienic standard, preparation and delivery of food and water, providing enrichment and monitoring the condition and behaviour of the animals. This is a physically demanding role and volunteers work outside in all weathers.
Sections include Casualty Pens, Hospital Rooms, Rehabilitation Pens and Millie Block.
Response Driving
Response drivers are called upon, dependent on their availability and level of training, to respond to rescues, collect and transport animal casualties.To volunteer as a Secret World response driver, you must have a valid driving licence, have access to your own transport and have some free periods of time most weeks.
Reception/Admin
Reception volunteers, supported by members of the animal care team, deal with an interesting array of enquires about orphaned, injured or sick wildlife casualties . The Reception team manage and coordinate rescues with volunteer response drivers, admit casualties, sign in visitors, transfer phone enquiries and a multitude of other duties. There are also often admin tasks such as assisting with the post, sorting through donations, data entry, filing, updating response driver records and generally assisting other departments.
Laundry
A laundry volunteer helps to keep the washing machines turning over, the laundry hung outside, folding and storing. This ensures there is the correct materials available for the next casualty coming through the doors. This role is flexible and may suit a volunteer who has just a few hours a week to volunteer.
General Maintenance and Gardening
If you have practical experience and skills relating to maintenance or construction, able to work quite independently or as part of a team, then you may be able to assist in the day to day management of the site, its seventy plus enclosures and other facilities.
Or, as part of the Maintenance and gardens team you may prefer to assist with the year round maintenance of the garden beds, lawns and enclosures, to ensure they are kept up to a good standard, for our special open events and for use by the animals.
If you have green fingers, we have a range of tasks that need regular attention; mowing, trimming, weeding and tidying.
The work is quite physical and can consist of indoor and outdoor tasks in all weathers.
Special Event Day Volunteer
Each year at Secret World we open our doors to the public to run Special event days and activities. To make these events a success we rely on dedicated volunteer assistance to manage and run each one. Tasks include car parking, managing gift aid forms, stall personnel, site guides and many more. This volunteer opportunity doesn’t require a regular commitment each week, so if you are not able to commit regularly, helping out at an open event may be the volunteering opportunity to suit you.
Charity Shop - Burnham-on-sea
Our charity shop in Burnham-on-sea is a key part of our fundraising efforts at Secret World. Volunteers at the shop help us sort through donations, price up items, talk to customers on the shop floor and answer the shop phone. A great opportunity for anyone with retail and customer service experience or for anyone looking to gain some!
Charity Shop - Glastonbury
Our Charity in shop in Glastonbury sells a variety of pre-loved clothing, bric-a-brac and some of our Secret World Giftshop items. The funds generated by our Charity shops go towards helping us rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife from our Wildlife Treatment Centre in East Huntspill.
Our Glastonbury shop can be found at the top of Glastonbury High street, behind The Wonky Broomstick.
Charity Shop - Langport
Our Charity in shop in Langport sells a variety of pre-loved clothing, bric-a-brac and some of our Secret World Giftshop items. The funds generated by our Charity shops go towards helping us rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife from our Wildlife Treatment Centre in East Huntspill.
Our Langport shop can be found at Cheapside, Langport TA10 9PW
Stock Collection
Using our Secret World vans to collect donated items from the public and to move stock between our three Charity Shops. You need to be physically fit and we would provide training on driving our larger vehicles.
Work Experience
Secret World Wildlife Rescue offers work experience placements for students aged 18 years old and above on Animal Management and Conservation related courses.
This can be taken either as a block placement or a day release placement. For more details see our website under 'Learning' - 'Work Experience' and fill out a work experience application form.
https://www.secretworld.org/work-experience
Work experience - Block placement
Students aged 16 years and above attend full-time to satisfy their hours (3 week minimum)
Please note: Block placements are only available from April to September and for a minimum of three weeks.
Work experience - Day release placement
Students aged 16 years and above attend 1 day (minimum) per week for a minimum of 150 hours.
Please note: The minimum number of hours we require for day release placements is 150 (regardless of the number of hours required by your course).
Our vision
Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release
To prevent British wildlife suffering needlessly and inspire in everyone an understanding and love of wildlife and the countryside
How we deliver our vision
- We provide a rescue service caring for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife
- We rehabilitate the animals in our care and return them to the wild wherever possible
- We are a respected source of expertise and centre of excellence where British wildlife can receive the best care
- We inspire learning about the world of British wildlife, encouraging everyone to discover what they can do to protect it
Our values
Rescue · Rehabilitate · Release
- Animal welfare is at the heart of what we do
- Secret World is a place of safety for wildlife
- We are there for British wildlife, no matter what the species, to give expert care and rehabilitation
Sharing knowledge
- We champion our expertise and enthusiasm with the public and other professionals
- By engaging the public in learning about British wildlife, we help them reconnect with nature and encourage protection of its heritage
Respect
- We are focused on using our resources wisely and celebrate the vital contribution of our supporters
- We respect and appreciate the devotion and passion of our volunteers and staff, recognising that each individual has an important role to play
