We have over 200 volunteers at Raystede all committed to giving animals a better life.
As restrictions are starting to ease, we are planning to bring back our volunteers slowly and safely.
In the meantime, we have some exciting, new volunteering roles in our Visitor Information, Fundraising and Marketing teams.
We have over 200 volunteers at Raystede all committed to giving animals a better life. Their generosity and dedication allows Raystede to provide a caring environment for all our animals.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
What is a Car Park Marshal Volunteer?
Car Park Marshal Volunteers have a vital role to play by welcoming our visitors to site as they arrive and managing our busy car park.
They help to protect the health and safety of visitors and play a part in safeguarding the site and our animals.
What are the benefits to you?
· Being part of a friendly and dedicated team
· Volunteering in a beautiful countryside location
· Learning new and useful skills
· Uniform and access to training
· Discount in our café and on pet goods
· Entry to the site before or after shifts
What is the time commitment?
Shifts are between the hours of 9.45am and 4pm, 7 days a week. Shifts are organised and allocated in advance on a rota system. You can give as much of your time as you would like however most volunteers do a 2 hour shift once a week.
What’s involved?
· Welcoming our visitors and ensuring they know where to park onsite
· Checking that visitors have pre-booked online
· Interacting with people and being confident in talking to visitors
· Recognising and supporting the specific access needs of all visitors, helping make sure that they have a comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable visit
· Being part of a rota system
· Becoming familiar with Raystede policies including following fire and security procedures
· Supporting any other activities relevant to the role
Who is this suitable for?
This role is suitable for someone friendly who enjoys logistics. You will have an enthusiastic and friendly manner, have good time management skills and a passion for animal welfare. You will be good at conveying information in a cohesive and accessible way.
How will you make a difference?
By helping our visitors access swift and easy parking and delivering the first part of a memorable and enjoyable day that enhances our visitors’ experience.
How to apply:
Download and complete our volunteer application form and send to:
or
Volunteering Department, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ
Please note we do not accept CV's
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, thank you for your application, however please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
What is a Welcome Team Volunteer?
Welcome Team Volunteers have a vital role to play by welcoming our visitors to site and delivering the first part of a memorable and enjoyable day that enhances our visitors’ experience. They have a good knowledge of the site, enjoy giving information and have a passion for Raystede and animal welfare.
The role involves welcoming visitors, helping them to discover our site, what animals live here and how to get the most from their visit. Welcome Team volunteers help to protect the health and safety of visitors and play a part in safeguarding the site and our animals.
Welcome Team volunteers work closely with Raystede’s Visitor information team and Visitor Engagement Volunteers to give visitors a greater appreciation of animal welfare and the charity.
What are the benefits to you?
· Being part of a friendly and dedicated team
· Meeting and interacting with people from all walks of life
· Volunteering in a beautiful countryside location
· Learning new and useful skills
· Uniform and access to training
· Discount in our café and on pet goods
· Entry to the site before or after shifts
What is the time commitment?
Shifts are between the hours of 10am and 3pm, 7 days a week. Shifts are organised and allocated in advance on a rota system. You can give as much of your time as you would like however most volunteers do a 2 hour shift once a week.
What’s involved?
· Welcoming our visitors (who have booked online) and checking them in through our simple, user-friendly online system
· Interacting with people and being happy and confident in talking to visitors when they arrive
· Recognising and supporting the specific access needs of all visitors and helping make sure that they have a comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable visit
· Being part of a rota system
· Becoming familiar with Raystede policies including following fire and security procedures
· Provide information and maps and answering initial queries about their visit
· Supporting any other activities relevant to the role
Who is this suitable for?
This role is suitable for someone who enjoys talking to people. You will have an enthusiastic and friendly manner, be confident in talking to people, have good time management skills and a passion for animal welfare. You will be good at conveying information in a cohesive and accessible way and be able to adapt your skills and knowledge to suit different audiences.
How will I make a difference?
Animal welfare education starts from the moment our visitors arrive and you will be the first touch point for setting the expectation of our visitors' experience. By helping our visitors start their journey around our site, you can ensure they know where to go and how to interact with our animals to enhance their visit and protect the high standards of animal welfare onsite.
How to apply:
Download and complete our volunteer application form and send to:
or
Volunteering Department, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ
Please note we do not accept CV's
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, thank you for your application, however please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
What is a Visitor Engagement Volunteer?
Visitor Engagement (VE) Volunteers have an important role to play through engaging with our general daily visitors at Raystede. VE volunteers answer questions, share facts about our animals and help maintain a calm environment around site. They have a good knowledge of the work of our charity and our animals. They communicate with the public in a friendly manner to deliver our key learning messages.
Visitor Engagement volunteers work closely with the Visitor Information team and Welcome team volunteers to give visitors a greater appreciation of animal welfare and the work of Raystede.
For passionate individuals who are confident in public speaking, there is an opportunity to develop this role further into delivering talks and tours.
What’s in it for you?
· Being part of a friendly and dedicated team
· Volunteering in a beautiful countryside location
· Learning new and transferable skills
· Opportunities to deliver talks and tours
· Uniform and access to training
· Discount in our café and on pet goods
· Entry to the site before or after shifts
What is the time commitment?
Shifts are between the hours of 11am and 3pm, 7 days a week. Shifts are organised and allocated in advance on a rota system. You can give as much of your time as you would like however most volunteers commit to a regular weekly shift of 2 hours or more.
What’s involved?
· Interacting with visitors and responding to questions about our animals
· Helping to maintain a safe and calm environment for visitors and our animals
· Providing information leaflets and directing visitors around the site
· Recognising and supporting the specific access needs of all visitors, helping make sure that they have an enjoyable and memorable visit
· Being part of a rota system
· Becoming familiar with Raystede policies including following fire and security procedures
· Supporting any other activities relevant to the role
Who is this suitable for?
This role is suitable for someone who enjoys talking to people, including children and helping them learn about animal welfare. A friendly, approachable manner and excellent communication skills are a must. A passion for animal welfare and commitment to helping Raystede deliver key messages is essential.
How will I make a difference?
By helping our visitors to learn about animal welfare, you are supporting the educational aims of the charity and animals more widely.
How to apply:
Download and complete our volunteer application form and send to:
or
Volunteering Department, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ
Please note we do not accept CV's
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, thank you for your application, however please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
What is a Raystede Community Champion?
Are you passionate about Raystede and want to help spread awareness of our charity? Raystede Community Champions are a key part of the fundraising team and act as the leading community volunteer and point of contact for their local area. They spread awareness of the animal welfare work at Raystede and raise funds from their local community. If you enjoy being at the heart of your community and could help with bucket collections, attending local events, distributing flyers, sourcing raffle prizes from local businesses and sharing posts on social media then this is the role for you. You might even consider organising some of your own fundraising events for Raystede. You will help spread awareness about the animal welfare work we do at Raystede and help us to raise funds. You will be an ambassador for Raystede in your local community. We are looking for proactive individuals who are well connected, great at communicating and have excellent organisational skills. Training and support will be provided.
What are the benefits to you?
· Being part of a friendly and dedicated team
· Volunteering at the heart of your local community
· Being able to clearly see the difference you are making
· Enjoying varied and interesting work
· Meeting and connecting with people in your local area
· Learning new and useful skills
· Access to training
· Discount in our café and on pet goods
What is the time commitment?
Variable time commitment that fits into your lifestyle
What’s involved?
· Distributing flyers and posters to shops, pubs and venues in your local area
· Sourcing raffle prizes from local businesses
· Sharing posts on social media
· Helping with bucket collections
· Attending events in your local community and running a stall (stall and activity provided)
· Organising some of your own fundraising events
Who is this suitable for?
This role is suitable for someone who loves being at the heart of the local community and is passionate about animals. You will be proactive, well connected and great at communicating. If you enjoy connecting with people and inspiring people to help improve the life of our animals, then this is the role for you.
How will you make a difference?
By helping us to raise money to look after the animals at Raystede.
How to apply:
Download and complete our volunteer application form and send to:
or
Volunteering Department, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ
Please note we do not accept CV's
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, thank you for your application, however please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
What is a Collecting Box Volunteer?
Collecting Box Volunteers work with the fundraising team to help raise money to look after and rehome the animals at Raystede. They assist with collecting and dropping off the blue Raystede collecting tins at supermarkets, shops, hairdressers, gyms, pubs and restaurants and all sort of other venues around Sussex. You will be given a list of venues who have agreed to take a tin or have their tin replaced and will travel by car to distribute the tins, making sure to say a big thank you wherever you go.
What are the benefits to you?
· Being part of a friendly and dedicated team
· Visiting a wide range of venues and locations around Sussex, meeting new people
· Working independently from your car
· Mileage and parking expenses paid
· Discount in our café and on pet goods
· Knowing that you are making a difference.
What is the time commitment?
Shifts are 3-7 hours a week, between Monday and Friday 8.30-4.30.
What’s involved?
· Driving to a list of locations around Sussex
· Delivering and picking up collecting tins, from pre-arranged placements
· Issuing a receipt for the collection of tins
· Popping in to see the fundraising team at Raystede to drop off the tins
Who is this suitable for?
This role is suitable for someone who enjoys driving, and visiting different locations. You must have a full clean driving license, access to your own car and be able to include volunteering mileage on your insurance. You will enjoy meeting people and be happy to thank shops and venues for raising money for us.
How will you make a difference?
By helping us to raise money to look after the animals at Raystede.
How to apply:
Download and complete our volunteer application form and send to:
or
Volunteering Department, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ
Please note we do not accept CV's
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, thank you for your application, however please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
What is a Fundraising Events Volunteer?
Fundraising Events Volunteers assist with a variety of fun and entertaining fundraising events out in the community including the Brighton Marathon, Country Fayres, and a Peacehaven Cliffs Abseil to name but a few. They assist in preparation and set up, running activities and stalls, registering participants in, cheering and handing out medals, marshalling at the events and help to pack down afterwards.
This role is important – not only will you help to keep our events safe for all but you’ll make sure our fundraising participants feel valued and appreciated and have a really great day.
What are the benefits to you?
· Being part of a friendly and dedicated team
· Volunteering at a range of fun and exciting events
· Learning new and useful skills
· Uniform and access to training
· Discount in our café and on pet goods
What is the time commitment?
Shifts are varied, and largely required on weekends and evenings. We only require that you commit to helping at two events year, but you are very welcome to volunteer at as many events as you would like. We will contact you regularly (no more then once a month) with a list of volunteering opportunities, you are welcome to book on to as many as you would like.
What’s involved?
· Assisting in the preparation for events such as displaying signage and setting up tables, displays and gazebos
· Running a stall on the event days and helping with games, activities and crafting
· Stewarding and general visitor interaction
· Cheering and handing out medals
· Registering people in at an event and making them feel welcome
· Interacting with people and being confident in talking to supporters
· Recognising and supporting the specific access needs of all supporters, helping make sure that they have a comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable experience
· Supporting any other activities relevant to the role
Who is this suitable for?
This role is suitable for someone who enjoys being outdoors and meeting people. You will have an enthusiastic and friendly manner, have good time management skills and a passion for animal welfare. You will be good at conveying information in a cohesive and accessible way.
How will you make a difference?
By helping us to raise money to look after the animals at Raystede and ensuring our participants enjoy a memorable and enjoyable event.
How to apply:
Download and complete our volunteer application form and send to:
or
Volunteering Department, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ
Please note we do not accept CV's
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, thank you for your application, however please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
What is a Fundraising Office Volunteer?
Fundraising Office Volunteers work with the fundraising team to help raise money to look after and rehome the animals at Raystede. They assist with a variety of administrative tasks from writing thank you letters, scanning documents, putting together fundraising packs, making up goody bags and sometimes making phone calls to supporters. If you like to be part of a busy team and get involved with a wide variety of office-based tasks and projects, and enjoy inspiring and thanking people to raise funds, then this is the role for you.
What are the benefits to you?
· Being part of a friendly and dedicated team
· Volunteering in a beautiful countryside location
· Enjoying varied and interesting work
· Learning new and useful skills and getting office work experience
· Access to training
· Discount in our café and on pet goods
· Knowing that you are making a difference.
What is the time commitment?
Shifts are 3-7 hours a week, on one or two days a week between Monday and Friday 8.30-4.30.
What’s involved?
· Putting together fundraising packs and making up goody bags
· Data entry
· Writing thank you letters and certificates to thank our fantastic fundraisers
· Research projects, for example finding banner sites across Sussex, researching events we can attend to promote Raystede, or researching training tips for our runners
· Telephoning supporters and volunteers to say thank you
· Sourcing raffle prizes
· Scanning documents
· Booking volunteers to help at events
Who is this suitable for?
This role is suitable for someone who enjoys completing tasks and projects and working as part of a team. You must be computer literate, comfortable using Windows packages and be confident using the telephone. You will have good interpersonal skills and have an encouraging and motivating manner.
How will you make a difference?
By helping us to raise money to look after the animals at Raystede – through supporting with the planning and organising of fundraising activities and offering excellent customer service to our supporters.
How to apply:
Download and complete our volunteer application form and send to:
or
Volunteering Department, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ
Please note we do not accept CV's
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, thank you for your application, however please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
What is an Events Volunteer?
Events Volunteers assist with a variety of fun and entertaining events at Raystede including our Summer and Christmas Fairs and Family Fun Days to name but a few. They assist in preparation and set up, running activities and stalls and help to clear up, dismantle and shut down afterwards.
They help to protect the health and safety of visitors and play a part in safeguarding the site and our animals.
What are the benefits to you?
· Being part of a friendly and dedicated team
· Volunteering in a beautiful countryside location
· Learning new and useful skills
· Uniform and access to training
· Discount in our café and on pet goods
· Entry to the site before or after shifts
· Access to the events at which you volunteer
What is the time commitment?
Shifts are between the hours of 8am and 4pm, 7 days a week. Organised and allocated in advance on a rota system. You can give as much of your time as you would like.
What’s involved?
· Assisting in the preparation for events such as displaying signage and setting up tables, displays and gazebos
· Running a stall on the event days and helping with games, activities and crafting
· Stewarding and general visitor interaction
· Interacting with people and being confident in talking to visitors
· Recognising and supporting the specific access needs of all visitors, helping make sure that they have a comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable visit
· Being part of a rota system
· Becoming familiar with Raystede policies including following fire and security procedures
· Supporting any other activities relevant to the role
Who is this suitable for?
This role is suitable for someone who enjoys being outdoors and meeting people. You will have an enthusiastic and friendly manner, have good time management skills and a passion for animal welfare. You will be good at conveying information in a cohesive and accessible way.
How will you make a difference?
By helping our visitors to enjoy a memorable and enjoyable day that delivers much needed funds for our charity.
How to apply:
Download and complete our volunteer application form and send to:
or
Volunteering Department, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ
Please note we do not accept CV's
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, thank you for your application, however please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
We rely on your support to save animal's lives & do the work we do.
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