Community Volunteer (Plovers in Peril)

We're looking for Community Volunteers to join Plovers in Peril as we grow our events team. As a Community Volunteer with Plovers in Peril, you’ll help the team with organising and delivering events and activities that inspire stewardship for Norfolk’s iconic beach-nesting birds, at an important nesting site between Snettisham and Heacham and in the local community and beyond.

You will help to bring beach nesting birds to the heart of local communities and nurture connections between people and wildlife to strengthen vital awareness where it matters most. From residents to day trippers, you’ll inspire beachgoers to take simple, positive actions that give vulnerable species like Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher, a chance to thrive.

By joining the Plovers in Peril team, you’ll be part of an exciting species recovery project working to secure a brighter future for these iconic birds.

What will you be doing?

This is a flexible role that could fit around other commitments, whether its helping where you can on occasional events throughout the year or with regular activities through the nesting season (March to September). Some of the things we’d love your support with could include:

• Helping us to run our pop-up beach engagement stand - chatting with beachgoers, running family activities and sharing tips for beach nesting bird-friendly visits.
• Helping on our project stand at local community events to spread the word beyond the beach, – meet new people, share friendly advice and inspire audiences with engaging activities with a beach-nesting bird focus.
• Supporting us at other focused events from beach cleans to village fetes, taster days to talks, and bringing creative ideas for new events that build local support.
• Helping to develop and create new and engaging events activities, information materials and resources that help to foster connections between people and beach-nesting birds.
• Helping to inspire our volunteer community by supporting the Volunteer Coordinator with social events that bring the team together.
• Gathering and curating content for social media wherever possible to share our projects story and broaden our reach.

You’ll receive all the training you need as part of your induction and ongoing support from project staff. There are plenty of opportunities to get creative, bring your ideas to life, and take the lead on tasks that suit your skills and interests.

This role could be perfect if you’re interested in exploring a career in community outreach, with opportunities to volunteer additional days or support behind the scenes through content creation and developing ideas for new events and activities. Or, if you simply have time to spare and want to use your skills to help wildlife local to you.

What will you get out of it?

• You will be playing a key role in the conservation of vulnerable beach nesting birds including the Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher.
• You will have the chance to make new friends in a fun environment and join a network of like-minded people with an interest in helping birds and other wildlife thrive.
• You’ll have the opportunity to strengthen your community outreach skills and gain experience in the conservation sector, with opportunities to contribute to the projects engagement programme and network with similar projects.
• You will gain experience of working for an environmental charity.
• Training and ongoing support provided.
• Opportunities to get involved in other aspects of the project if you wish such as species monitoring, work parties or running community events.
• RSPB volunteers receive a host of other great benefits such as 20% discount in RSPB shops and cafés plus free entry to RSPB reserves.
• Any expenses incurred as part of the role will be reimbursed.

No experience is necessary as training and a full induction will be provided to cover key aspects of the role, and ongoing support available throughout, however, the following skills would be beneficial:

• A people person with a friendly and approachable manner.
• Good communication skills with a diplomatic approach to challenging topics.
• Creative minded and enthusiasm to share ideas for activities.
• An ability to work as part of a team or independently using own initiative.

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the RSPB’s work on species recovery, on an important project working in partnership with Wild Ken Hill. By delivering this vital role you will be helping to safeguard a key site for beach-nesting birds in the Norfolk coast.