About the Role

As the junior branch of local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, Wildlife Watch provides unparalleled opportunities for young people to enjoy and learn about wildlife and to take positive action for their local environment – and you could be a key contributor! Watch has over 135,000 subscribing members (mostly aged 7-13), and more than 800 Leaders of groups. Most Leaders are volunteers, and all bring an enthusiasm for working with young people and for sharing their own enjoyment of the natural world. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to become inspiring Leaders, working as part of the team of local, like-minded volunteers to plan and run sessions for the Cumbernauld Wildlife Watch Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning and preparing a programme of quality monthly outdoor sessions that give children opportunities to connect with the natural world.
• Other tasks that come with running a Wildlife Watch group include supporting the promotion of the group, maintaining health and safety and safeguarding standards, liaising with families, collecting and storing data securely (such as parental consent forms), and undertaking risk assessments.

About the Cumbernauld Wildlife Watch Group

The group runs on the third Sunday of every month from 10:30 till 12:30. The group is for children aged 5 to 12 years old. The group meets at Palacerigg Country Park each month.

Perks and Benefits

• A chance to be part of an excellent environmental education group and inspire the next generation to care about wildlife and the environment
• Get out and about and experience wildlife
• An opportunity to create and lead sessions with support from a team
• An induction and relevant training will be provided – plus ongoing support to further develop the skills you need for this role will be provided
• Become part of a network of Wildlife Watch groups across all of the UK! This includes opportunities to meet and link up with other volunteers and Trust staff across the country

Skills You'll Need

• An interest in wildlife (You don’t need to be an expert - you can learn as you go!).
• Creativity
• Good organisational skills
• Enjoys the outdoors
• Enthusiastic about helping children and/or young people to have fun discovering wildlife
• Able to be an excellent representative of the [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]

Useful but not essential: Experience of working with children, First aid qualified, Experience of working or volunteering for conservation.

Additional Information

Requires enrolment in PVG scheme (Protecting Vulnerable Groups). Disclaimer – the completion of an application to the PVG scheme is essential for this role, due to the close work involved with young people. Successful applicants will be supported through this simple application and costs covered by the [Employer hidden]. Find out more about the PVG Scheme by visiting Disclosure Scotland’s website.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS: The existence of a criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to volunteering with us but if offered this role we may require you to complete a self-declaration form asking for details of any unspent convictions in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (amended).

How to Apply

When you apply, you will be sent a word document application via email. Alternatively, if you would like to find out more, please contact Rachel Faichnie, Engagement Officer – [contact hidden]. Have questions? Visit our website for the volunteer FAQs, at https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/how-to-help/volunteer/faqs/.

Dates

This is a flexible opportunity from Monday 09 December 2024 till Thursday 31 December 2026. The group meets on the third Sunday of every month.