Volunteering at WMZ

Volunteers play a vital role in the survival of our Zoo, each providing incredible support to our permanent teams. Working with the animals, education services, grounds and community teams, our wonderful volunteers make a huge difference.

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Our Volunteer Scheme is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is passionate about animals and the Zoo. Throughout the year we have over 50 volunteers with us who dedicate their time to helping us achieve our mission, caring for our animals and grounds, whilst ensuring we are able to offer a wonderful day out for all of our visitors.

Who?

The Volunteer Scheme is open to everyone over the age of 18 (there is no maximum age).

Our Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, including:

• Unemployed
• Retired
• Students looking for experience to go alongside studies
• Part-time employed wanting to help out

When?

Active volunteers typically aim to complete a minimum of:

• Gardening Department: 1/2 day
• Education Department: 1/2 day
• Animal Walk throughs: 1/2 day
• Animal Keeping Department: 1 full day (between 8am-5pm, ideally able to commit to a minimum of 12 months volunteering)
• Marketing Department: 1/2 day

This can be arranged around your schedule, subject to availability. Ideally, we would encourage a minimum commitment of 4 months (12 month for animal keeping department).

Why?

Below are some of the reasons people choose to volunteer. For some it provides an opportunity to:

• Give something back to the Zoo
• Make a difference to the lives of others
• Help the environment
• Feel valued and part of a team
• Spend quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
• Gain confidence and self-esteem

For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. From this perspective, volunteering can be a way of:

• Gaining new skills, knowledge and experience
• Developing existing skills and knowledge
• Enhancing a CV
• Improving one’s employment prospects
• Using one’s professional skills and knowledge to benefit others (usually described as pro bono)

For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include:

• Meeting new people and making new friends
• A chance to socialise
• Getting to know the local community

What?

Gardens & Grounds Department

Garden Volunteers – The Gardens and Grounds are as important to the Zoo as the Animals and Education. They are maintained by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Find out more here

Education Department

Education Volunteers – Assist in the delivery of informal education with our education department.

Find out more here

Animal Walk Throughs

Animal Walk Throughs – Assisting in guiding and manning our various animal walk-throughs and displays.

Find out more

Animal Keeping Department

Animal Volunteers – Animals are what most people come to see at the Zoo, and it is therefore incredibly important that they have their own dedicated team to help look after them.

Find out more here

Marketing Department

Photography/Videography Volunteers – Assist in the creation of content for promotional and marketing purposes.

Find out more here

How?

If you are interested in any of volunteering roles, please contact our Education Manager at: education@welshmountainzoo.org - to be put on our waiting list for when we can safely resume volunteering.

By volunteering with us, you are able to develop new skills, meet like-minded people and become part of a fantastic team!

Are you a potential Volunteer? Are you…

• Able to commit to a 1/2 day or one full day a week? (animal keeping department)
• Ideally able commit to a minimum 12 months volunteering? (animal keeping department)
• Happy to volunteer in all weathers?
• Reliable, enthusiastic and friendly?
• Passionate about Zoos?

For more information please download an interest form here, when completed, please send to: education@welshmountainzoo.org