Volunteer for wildlife

The term volunteer means slightly different things to different people. At Yorkshire Wildlife Trust we mean any person who freely chooses to carry out a task or role that we have specifically agreed for them to do, which contributes to the aims and objectives of the Trust and for which they do not receive any financial or material reward.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust volunteers do a range of roles, from serving cake in our cafes, counting butterflies in our meadows, pulling up invasive plants on our nature reserves, checking on our cows, teaching children a lifelong love of flowers, showing visitors where to get great views of grass snakes, raising money to buy new tools and pond dipping nets and so much more.

We have volunteers of all ages and abilities from five year olds planting seeds to 85 year olds identifying trees. Our volunteers are from all over Yorkshire (and sometimes beyond) and they come from all walks of life, bringing a variety of skills and experience. If you are interested in wildlife, helping people or the great outdoors we probably have something for you.

Some people give donations of money or join YWT as members; some people offer their time as volunteers. Whichever you do, we are extremely grateful. Being a member of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust does have additional benefits including free access to  some nature reserves and a quarterly member’s magazine. 

More information on membership.

No. We encourage people from all walks of life, with a variety of life experiences to become involved. Some roles require specific skills or experience but most allow you to learn as you go along, sometimes after receiving appropriate training. You will always be fully briefed about your role and the tasks you will be involved in. We will make training available as and when it is needed by a volunteer in order for them to undertake their role or enhance their skills relevant to their volunteering.

You can still volunteer. There is no type of state benefit that automatically stops you from volunteering but we’d suggest you speak to your Job Centre about volunteering first.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust encourages volunteers of all ages as long as they are able to take part safely. Young people under 16 we will require parents or guardians to accompany them at all times and also register as a volunteer. Young people aged 16 or 17 can volunteer without an accompanying adult but we must register them before they begin, have a parental consent (a signed form) completed and agreement from the volunteer manager before starting to volunteer.

Volunteer travel expenses are available when the cost of attending would otherwise mean that people could not volunteer with us. We will provide expenses for travel up to 10 miles from the place of volunteering.

Volunteering and Vehicle Insurance

We get asked frequently about what’s the right car insurance cover when you’re a volunteer.

As vehicle insurance cover can differ from provider to provider and it’s vital that you check with your insurance provider that your volunteering driving activities are covered. Driving activities while volunteering would come under these categories:

Commuting

If you travel using your car to your normal place of volunteering and this is the same place of volunteering every time, you should check your insurance covers commuting with your provider. Some insurance providers will cover this in their Social, Domestic and Pleasure class, while others will not and you may need to have this cover added.

Business Use

Where business cover may be required, would be if you were using your own vehicle to transport tools, equipment, and materials and/or, if you were to carry out any other onward journey to another site from your original destination. Or if you have multiple commuting destinations as part of your volunteer role/s.

If you’re not sure, please ensure you check your insurance policy for more information.