Volunteer Opportunity: Wild Skills Leader
We are seeking inspiring role models to lead young volunteers taking part in our Wild Skills project. If you are
engaging, proactive, interested in wildlife and enthusiastic about sharing your knowledge with young people, then
this could be the ideal volunteer role for you.
About Wild Skills
Our Wild Skills project is an excellent example of the work being done at Rutland Water Nature Reserve to
encourage young people to get involved in wildlife conservation, discover new skills and talents and provides
opportunities which open doors to a variety of interests and perhaps even higher education and career prospects.
Most importantly it provides a social network for our like-minded young wildlife enthusiasts. Members are aged 1318 and are often working towards a Duke of Edinburgh, VInspired or community action award. Since the project’s
inception, the team have been involved in a variety of tasks, from woodland coppicing and nest box building to
wildlife surveying and producing a short film about the Rutland Osprey Project to name a few. No matter the task,
the group take ownership of each project’s design and implementation and with the help of our experienced staff
and volunteers bring their ideas to reality.
Commitment:
The group meets once a month on a Sunday morning. You will need to be available from 08:30 to 14:00.
2016 dates:
Sunday 17th January
Sunday 21st February
Sunday 13th March
Sunday 10th April
Sunday 8th May
Sunday 5th June
Sunday 17th July
Aug – Sept to be confirmed
We’re looking for someone who is willing to play an active role in both planning and leading the sessions, so some
availability outside of the sessions would be advantageous.
In order for you, and us , to reap the most benefit from this role, we would hope that you could offer a minimum of
12 months commitment.
Who are we looking for?
We’re looking for a volunteer who will take a proactive role as a leader as well as the smooth running of the project.
You will supervise and support young volunteers in their work; helping them to discover new skills and talents and
reach their full potential. You will also assist with task planning and implementation, including risk assessment.
This role requires you to:
- Have the ability to work on your own initiative under the direction of the Development Officer or other
Rutland Water Nature Reserve staff.
- The confidence to take responsibility for the group, and lead young people in a wide variety of activities both practical and classroom based.
- Be in good physical health
- Have confidence and enthusiasm when engaging young people and the general public.
-
Hold a full, clean, UK driving license and willing to undertake a MiDAS assessment (minibus driving).
Undertake a DBS check
Undertake emergency first aid training
Full training will be provided by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.
We asked members of the group what attributes they are looking for in a leader, and here’s what they came up with:
Committed
Engaging
Enjoy being outdoors
Enthusiastic
Fun
Gets stuck in
Good communicator
Good listener
Good with young people
Hard-working
Helpful
Knowledgeable
On the ball
Open minded
Sense of humour
How will you benefit?
There’s so much more to volunteering at Rutland Water than simply making a difference to our organisation and its
work. Whilst it’s an incredible way to help us, it’s immensely rewarding for our volunteers as individuals. Rutland
Water Nature Reserve is a community, volunteering unites people from different backgrounds and builds
camaraderie – it’s a great way to make friends and socialise with like-minded people. We watch our volunteers grow
in confidence, self-esteem and empathy towards others and there is a huge sense of pride and identity from our
teams. Volunteering keeps the blues and bay and makes you healthier. It’s an opportunity to gain new skills and
share talents with others. And for many, it’s a much needed escape from the norm.
This is a hugely rewarding role; you will gain a great deal of achievement from seeing the project’s young people
develop skills, confidence and a keen interest in protecting our wildlife and wild places.
Appropriate training will be provided, adding skills and qualifications to your CV - ideal for those considering a career
in environmental education.
What next?
To apply for this role get in touch with our Development Officer, Becky Corby either via email
becky@rutlandwater.org.uk or call 01572 720049.
Informal interviews will be held during the week beginning 23rd November.