Volunteer Organiser – Warnham Wild Bunch

Who Are We?

Wild About Warnham is a friendly local conservation group helping to care for wildlife habitats in and around Warnham, especially the Warnham Butterfly Fields. WAW’s Wild Bunch undertakes practical habitat management, supports wildlife surveys, and helps organise local events and talks that encourage people to enjoy and protect nature.

The Role

The Volunteer Organiser will help keep the Wild Bunch running smoothly by planning practical conservation work parties, welcoming volunteers, coordinating simple arrangements, and supporting safe, enjoyable and well-organised activities. This is an ideal volunteer role for someone who enjoys nature, community action and bringing people together.

Main Responsibilities:

• Help plan and organise regular Wild Bunch work parties and conservation sessions.
• Liaise with group members, volunteers, local partners and landowners where needed.
• Encourage and welcome new volunteers, making sure they understand what the group does and how they can get involved.
• Share practical details with volunteers before each session, including date, time, meeting place, likely tasks and what to bring.
• Help ensure tools, gloves, refreshments and other basic materials are available where appropriate.
• Support safe working by helping with simple risk assessments, briefings and awareness of uneven ground, tools and weather conditions.
• Keep basic records of volunteer attendance and activities completed.
• Promote the work of the Wild Bunch through village networks, newsletters, noticeboards, social media or parish communications.
• Help organise occasional wildlife surveys.
• Act as a positive ambassador for the group and its aims.

Benefits of the Role

• Make a practical difference for butterflies, birds, plants and other local wildlife.
• Help protect and improve a valued, informal nature reserve.
• Meet local people and support a friendly, purposeful volunteer group.
• Spend time outdoors and develop conservation and community organising skills.
• Contribute to Warnham’s wider environmental and community life.

Practical Considerations

• Activities often take place on uneven ground and involve outdoor work.
• Tasks may involve cutting scrub, removing brambles, building dead hedges or clearing vegetation, but tasks can usually be matched to different levels of ability.
• Young volunteers may be welcome at suitable activities, subject to appropriate supervision and safeguarding arrangements.
• All activities should follow agreed health and safety guidance, including risk assessments where needed.

What skills do I need?

Skills and Qualities

• Good organisational skills and the ability to plan ahead.
• A friendly, welcoming and inclusive approach to volunteers of different ages and abilities.
• Clear communication by email, phone or messaging.
• An interest in wildlife, conservation and the local environment.
• Confidence to coordinate small groups and practical tasks.
• Reliability and a practical, common-sense approach to safety.
• No specialist conservation knowledge is required.  Experience of volunteering, community organising, gardening and habitat management would be helpful.