We need you! Volunteering...

Hi everyone,

How are you?

We would like to do a whole lot more at Rainham Marshes, but are stuck for time... Are you interested in helping?

We would like everyone that visits the reserve to have a wonderful time - if you like working with people we have a few roles that might be of interest to you:

•  Be a part of our Welcome Team - we want to ensure that every visitor to the reserve gets a warm welcome and is inspired to come back again and again - this is where you come in!
  
  We're looking to build a team of Welcome Volunteers whose role it is to, (yes, you guessed it!) welcome visitors to the reserve.  We'd like a mix of Welcome Volunteers out on the reserve and in the visitor centre.  We'd also love Welcome Volunteers to represent the RSPB and Rainham Marshes at external local events too if possible, eg, fairs - though if you'd prefer to volunteer purely at the reserve then that's equally fine with us
• 
• Join our Family Activities Volunteers - we run some events for families, but would like to do more! Do you remember the thrill of finding your first ladybird, caterpillar or daisy?  We're looking for people with a real passion for enthusing children and adults alike about the natural world to run very informal & small family activity sessions for families who visit Rainham Marshes nature reserve.  If you're a parent this could be a great thing to do with your child or children - you lead the session, they have fun doing the activity with other kids and families.  Or equally if you fancy a bit of 'me' time then you can leave them at home with the babysitter for a couple of hours!
  
   

Children are so important - so many children don't get to explore in nature and connect like they used too. Not only do we work with families that visit we also run curriculum linked courses for school groups - if you are interested in outdoor education perhaps our Volunteer Learning Assistant Internship could be of interest:

• You will be part of a busy team who inspire others about wildlife and help them to learn about the world around them. Looking to get some quality experience with Europe's largest conservation charity, engaging with young people and delivering environmental education? 

Fancy spending 6 months volunteering in a fantastic place, with fantastic people - seeing things you'd never normally see?
We have a volunteer internship from March - September 2016. We are looking for a volunteer to deliver clearly defined sessions to groups of up to 30 young people of all ages and abilities throughout our summer season. You would mainly be delivering to school groups but will also have opportunities to gain experience working with families and adults.

If you fancy something a bit more active you can join our new project, Active in Nature, which aims to get people outdoors and having a great time!

• You could help with our cycle hire scheme - The RSPB has partnered with Sports England for an exciting new project called 'Active in Nature' which aims to encourage people to experience nature in new and active ways. 
  
  At RSPB Rainham marshes we're offering a suite of outdoor activities for visitors to get involved in, one of which is a cycle hire scheme. This gives visitors a fantastic opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the reserve which could incorporate exploring the river wall and going further into neighbouring valleys.  These rides will give participants the opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife including seals along the Thames River, lapwing, marsh harriers and a variety of insects residing in the plant life.
  
  We're looking for volunteers to run this cycle hire scheme.
  Tasks would include:
  
  - Booking out the bikes for hire
  - Assisting in led cycle rides from the reserve
  - Assist with events, e.g. bike maintenance days, nature rides, longer distance bike tours
  - An opportunity to help out with the basic bike maintenance
  
  We'd train you in everything you need to know before starting in role  which would include: basic bike maintenance; skills needed when cycling in groups; our bike hire system

• If you enjoy climbing you could help by being a Climbing Activities Assistant - At RSPB Rainham marshes we're offering a suite of outdoor activities for visitors to get involved in, one of which is 'bouldering'. But what is bouldering?! Well bouldering is a form of rock climbing but without ropes or harnesses. It allows the freedom to scramble up to a height of 3 metres before climbing down and trying different routes. The boulders we will have in place vary in grades from beginners to intermediate (V0 - V5).
  
  We're looking for volunteers to assist in the running of these bouldering sessions & events. Tasks would include:
  
  - coaching participants in different climbing techniques
  - being on hand to give advice and encouragement
  - Ensuring the safe practice of all participants
  - Assisting with organised events such as: beginners bouldering, movements workshops, open sessions etc 
  - Providing a fun and safe environment for climbing
  
  We'd train you in everything you need to know beforehand e.g. bouldering basics, how to monitor safe practice.

Contact us for more!