Schools on Reserves Leader (Saltholme)

Bugs, birds, and children- what’s not to love? By volunteering with our Learning Team, you can help connect children and young people from across the North East to our amazing local wildlife, inspiring and empowering them to take action for nature. Bordered by the industrial landscape of Teesside, Saltholme is an urban oasis and a haven for a wildlife, and the RSPB’s Schools on Reserves programme gives school groups the chance to experience nature first-hand in our incredible reserve.

The role is varied and changes with each group that visits. You might feel comfortable leading our workshops; one day you might be helping a group of Reception children learn about seasons and senses, and discovering nature through touch. The next day you might be teaching a group of A Level students how to record biodiversity. Or you might decide that you’re more comfortable being one of our brilliant support volunteers, helping organise resources and supporting one of your colleagues as they deliver a visit to a group of excitable Year 5’s as they undertake a habitat survey.

By volunteering, you will be helping children from some of the most deprived areas in the country connect with nature, helping them discover and experience the joy of being out in nature- they might see their first ever dragonfly, or the incredible sight of a hovering Kestrel. Seeing a groups confidence grow throughout the visit is an incredibly rewarding feeling, and one that never gets old.

So what’s in it for you? By volunteering you will be part of our small and friendly team; you can gain new skills to start a career in environmental education, or share a lifetimes experiences and knowledge with the next generation. Or you can just be looking to try something new and exciting. You’ll also gain knew skills in identifying our wildlife, maybe find a special skill you never knew you had, or simply experience the benefits to your wellbeing of spending the day outdoors in nature. Whatever your skill set, there is a place for you in the Learning team.

Our volunteers give so much to us, so we like to give something back- we provide full training and uniform, and we cover mileage and travel costs.

You don’t need any prior experience of working with children or young people, though some nature knowledge will be helpful. We will teach you all you need to know to help you help us support local schools on their journey of discovering the wonder in nature.