You don’t have to live locally to volunteer, both the National Trust and the RSPB offer working holidays here in the Lizard. We will put you up in local accommodation in return for a minimum of a five days work for every seven days you stay. The National Trust holidays usually have a more physical aspect to the work. The RSPB’s work is more centered on protecting and monitoring the choughs. Some of these placements are suitable for students over the age of 18.
….with the National Trust
The National Trust offers 3 week long working holidays on the Lizard each year, with several more opportunities at the nearby Penrose Estate. The working holidays (for 12 people) stay at either Lizard Point YHA or our own bunkhouse close to the coast at Gunwalloe. The holidays are always a great opportunity to get out and active in the countryside, and meet like minded people. Tasks can include clearing scrub to protect rare plant sites, replacing fences, or maintaining footpaths. One week, usually in November, concentrates on the Helford River Woods, and gives people the opportunity to learn woodland crafts, and even carve their own spoon to keep! For details of these and all the 2013 holidays nationally, please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/workingholidays. Holiday charges (around £150) cover all accommodation, food and transport once here. If you are interested in a residential placement please get in touch.
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For people wanting a career in the countryside, we offer four one year long residential Trainee Ranger positions. These positions are unwaged, but accommodation is provided, together with training in eg use of brushcutters, first aid etc, and the opportunity to complete a National Diploma free of charge. Completing a trainee Ranger placement with the National Trust is a proven way to get the experience required to gain countryside employment, and the NT Lizard Ranger team can offer a varied and fulfilling volunteer role, encompassing everything from practical skills to education and events. For further information on residential placements and how to apply, please contact Rachel.Holder@nationaltrust.org.uk
….with the RSPB
Choughs returned here in 2001 to breed, after an absence of over 100 years. Since then the Cornwall Chough Project has been monitoring them, and working with local landowners to improve the habitat for the iconic bird. When the choughs are nesting, volunteers maintain a 24 hour surveillance and protection programme, as well as welcoming visitors to our public watchpoint, answering questions and encouraging people to support the work of the Cornwall Chough Project, a partnership between RSPB, National Trust and Natural England.
Taking a place on our residential team is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to the protection of these magical birds, spend a week or more in the Lizard, one of the most beautiful and visited areas in Cornwall, and gain a valuable insight into the workings of Europe’s largest conservation charity.
The duties are ideally suited to people with a love of birds who enjoy sharing their enthusiasm with others. Specialist knowledge is not required but enthusiasm for birds, natural history and conservation is. You will need the ability to work as part of a team and a reasonable level of fitness. There is no physical land management work. You will be monitoring the choughs and talking to visitors at our public watchopint, so you must feel comfortable with people. Overseas volunteers should have a good level of spoken English. Minimum age 18 years.
For more information visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering/265-residential-volunteer-cornwall-chough-projector email catherine.lee@rspb.org.uk
If you are interested in a residential placement please get in touch.