Volunteer with us

From practical conservation to recording wildlife, there are many ways for you to make a difference by volunteering for nature in Sheffield & Rotherham

Thank you for your interest. Volunteering is a great way to support your community, grow new skills, meet new people, and make a real difference for wildlife.

You are welcome, regardless of your experience or availability.

Every hour is valued and valuable, and we will support you with inductions and training, keep in touch with newsletters, and provide you with the tools needed, including reimbursing travel expenses.

“Great to be with a group of like-minded volunteers, also interested in nature. People of all ages and from different backgrounds. Sharing knowledge and expertise.”
Volunteer Ranger

“Their hard work is what actually makes this nature reserve better.”
Land Management Team Leader

“Volunteering for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust brings many benefits to me, and it is good to know that I’m giving something in return.”
Task Day Volunteer

Book a practical task ↗

Record Wildlife ↗

Take action in your community ↗

Corporate Wild Work Days↗

Join a User Forum guided walk ↗

Frequently Asked Questions ↗

Gentle (green flower), moderate (orange butterfly) and challenging (purple bee) grading descriptions.

What to expect from a gentle session or role: Friendly welcome, Short session, Close to the meeting point or online, Easy parking or public transport access, Level paths, Regular breaks and places to sit, Simple task with minimal tool use, Easy to book, Small social group.

Gentle sessions are ideal for anyone new, wanting to build confidence or looking for a quick way to make a difference for wildlife.

What to expect from a moderate session or role: Friendly welcome, Half day session, Easy walk from meeting point, Regular breaks, Easy to book, Requires additional training or support which we will provide, including potentially volunteering without staff present.

Moderate sessions are ideal for anyone wanting to gain new skills and use current knowledge.

What to expect from a challenging session or role: Friendly welcome, Full day session, Longer walk from the meeting point or during the session, potentially over remote or rough terrain, Regular breaks, Physically or mentally demanding task, Target focused, Requires additional training or support which we will provide.

Challenging sessions are ideal for anyone wanting to learn or use specific skills or take on more responsibility.

All our volunteer roles and task days are now graded as either gentle, moderate or challenging, depending on how accessible it is (don’t worry, this isn’t a test of personal fitness or skill). This should help you choose a role that is the best fit for you. If you have any feedback on this new system, please do let us know at volunteering@wildsheffield.com.

Ongoing volunteer opportunities

Conservation Task Days

Tasks can include habitat restoration, fence or path repairs, invasive plant control, litter picking and wildlife gardening.

No previous experience is needed, you’ll just need to bring sturdy shoes, clothes you don’t mind getting messy, lunch and water. We’ll provide tools, gloves (and biscuits!). We can also loan boots and coats if needed, please let us know when you book a session.

There’s no obligation to come regularly, you can pick the days and locations that suit you, from one-offs to weekly.

Find out how to access each reserve, including public transport links below:

Gentle: Carbrook Ravine, Crabtree Ponds, Sunnybank, Victoria Hall Gardens

Moderate: Blacka Moor, Carr House Meadows, Centenary Riverside, Greno Woods, Moss Valley Woodlands, Woodhouse Washlands, Wyming Brook

Calendar of practical work days per month.

Book a Task Day

User Forum guided reserve walks

Interested in your local reserve? User Forum walks and talks happen twice a year for many reserves.

This is a great opportunity to find out more about how we manage the site, hear future plans, ask questions and give input. We love hearing your thoughts.

Gentle: Crabtree Ponds, Sunnybank

Moderate: Blacka Moor, Carr House Meadows, Moss Valley Woodlands, Woodhouse Washlands, Wyming Brook

Book a User Forum walk

Young man taking a photograph in a nature park. © nikki_meel / Envato Elements

Record local wildlife

Whether you’ve seen something common or rare, on a nature reserve or elsewhere in Sheffield and Rotherham, then we’d love to know.

All species records are welcome, from beginners to experts and all records go into the NBN atlas to help build a picture of what wildlife calls Sheffield and Rotherham home, and how these species are changing.

Gentle to Moderate

Add your sightings

Take action for wildlife in your community

Campaigning For Wildlife

Learn more about the different issues the Trust campaigns on, and how you can take action to protect your local wildlife and green spaces.

Local community groups

Are you interested in setting up a local community group to help nature where you live? Perhaps you’re concerned about a local development proposal or planning application that could impact on nature? Here’s some information and resources that might help.

Nature Recovery Rotherham

Nature is in crisis – worldwide, in the UK and even in Rotherham.

Nature Recovery Sheffield

We are a movement of people working together for nature recovery in Sheffield.

FAQs

I’m aged 14 to 17, can I volunteer?

Yes! We welcome young volunteers in many roles, please get in touch if you are interested.

If you are aged 16 or 17, depending on the role, you can volunteer without a parent or carer, we just need a signed consent form before you start.

If you are aged 14 or 15, including if you are doing your Duke of Edinburgh Award, you can volunteer with a parent or carer.

Unfortunately we are unable to support under 14s volunteering outside of a school / group setting, but may have activities or partner events to take part in, please see our upcoming events.

Do I need a car to take part?

I have a specific skill I would like to share as a volunteer, can I get in touch?

How can I get involved with a group of work colleagues?

I have a caution, unspent conviction or spent conviction that is not defined as protected, can I volunteer?

We need to ask you about any unspent convictions as part of our duty of care. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from becoming a volunteer; the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the volunteering role.

Please do not sign up for any of our roles until you have had a discussion with the Volunteering Coordinator. The easiest way to do this is to fill in our Volunteer Registration Form which will prompt you to provide the relevant information, and the Volunteering Coordinator will then contact you to discuss your case and keep you informed of the Trust’s decision on whether or not we can accept your application to volunteer.

If you prefer to submit this information in a different way please either send by post to the Senior Admin Support Officer at Victoria Hall, Stafford Road, S2 2SF marked ‘confidential’, or else you can contact volunteering@wildsheffield.com to arrange a time to meet and discuss it in confidence.

What are the next steps?

All new volunteers need to complete a details form, either for a one-off session or to sign up as a volunteer. This includes emergency contacts, health information and photo consent. We will send you the form before you start, or you can fill it in when you arrive for your first day.

You will also get a Welcome Leaflet, and have a welcome chat with your Volunteer Leader to get you started.

An easy read registration form and welcome leaflet are available. Please ask if you need anything in another format.

Wildlife in Sheffield and Rotherham

Fox Hagg

Badgers and bTB

Kingfisher Magazine