Why we need you

The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so that our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We also play a leading role in a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

Studies show children are becoming increasingly distant from nature. As a result, our children are missing out. Experiencing natural places is beneficial to everyone, especially children; for their health, wellbeing, personal and social development and it’s essential in helping children develop positive attitudes towards nature.

As part of the RSPB’s aim to connect as many children as possible to nature, Giving Nature a Home in Schools is the RSPB’s school outreach project, funded by Aldi, working with primary schools across 16 cities in the UK.

Our 3 Early Years workshops (Habitat Explorer, Sensing the World and Wild Words) each last 90 minutes. They are fun and interactive with a focus on being outdoors, providing kids with a first-hand experience of nature in their school grounds.

We're looking for committed volunteers to lead these sessions for ages 2-5. You will be working independently, as the sole RSPB representative in school, leading three sessions with three different classes of children throughout the school day. The class teacher will be present at all times.

To ensure you receive the support and training you need, the initial training period for this role, including shadowing the Schools Outreach Officer and taking part in an office-based induction, is around 3 months.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Attend an initial induction and training period and participate in occasional skills development opportunities
• Deliver high quality standardised learning activities to EYFS aged children
• Engage with the participants to inspire them about wildlife
• Facilitate the participants’ learning during the activity
• Assist with promotion to local schools within the target area
• Assist with equipment and resource maintenance as necessary
• Regularly check and respond to emails (our main method of communicating with you to coordinate bookings)
• Assist with feedback and evaluation

Experience required

Essential skills and experience needed:

• Experience of working with EYFS aged children
• Experience of confidently leading and presenting to groups of children
• A passion for wildlife, nature conservation and education
• A resourceful and flexible approach to children of all abilities
• Confident working on your own
• A willingness to travel up to an hour to local primary schools and to deliver sessions for a full school day (8.45 – 15.15)
• Ability to deliver sessions in all weathers, working outside for up to 4 hours a day, exploring uneven terrain
• Ability to transport your own kit and resources
• Friendly, enthusiastic and approachable
• Well organised, with effective communication skills
• A willingness to learn new skills
• Regular access to email

Desirable skills/experience:

• Basic identification skills
• Whilst a good knowledge of nature conservation and wildlife gardening is advantageous, all information will be provided

Equipment required

Access to the internet and a current, regularly checked email address is essential as this is how we will contact you with working requests and important information updates

Commitment

We are looking for volunteers who can commit a minimum of 1 day per fortnight. Additional flexibility is appreciated during the training period.

To ensure ample time for full training and a period of session delivery we ask that all volunteers commit to a minimum of 6 months for this role.

Benefits

• Full training and comprehensive induction
• Experience of working with young people for a well-known environmental charity
• Knowledge that the role you will be carrying out will play a vital part in inspiring young people about the natural world
• You will be a valuable member of a professional team and a fantastic project
• Excellent experience for those seeking a career in education

The RSPB will provide

• A Volunteer Induction and Welcome pack
• Induction to the RSPB, it’s vision and ways of working
• Regular line management support (appraisals, regular catch-ups)
• Training in delivery of the specific sessions on offer
• Access to existing RSPB resources and educational products
• Safeguarding training
• Relevant H&S training
• Regular information and updates about RSPB work
• RSPB uniform and name badge
• Travel & out of pocket expenses