Become a Volunteer Guide at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, is a world-renowned treasure known for its extraordinary tree collection and stunning historic landscape. We are passionate about connecting people with trees and inspiring a love for nature, and our volunteer guides play a crucial role in making this happen.
Why become a volunteer guide?
- Share your knowledge and enthusiasm: As a guide, you'll have the opportunity to share your passion for trees and the natural world with visitors of all ages and backgrounds. You'll help them discover the hidden wonders of the arboretum, learn about the different tree species, and appreciate the importance of conservation.
- Develop new skills and experiences: Volunteering as a guide is a rewarding experience that will allow you to learn new skills, gain valuable experience in education and communication, and meet like-minded people who share your love for nature.
- Contribute to a worthwhile cause: By volunteering at Westonbirt, you'll be helping to support our mission of connecting people with trees and improving the quality of life for everyone. You'll be part of a team that is making a real difference in the world.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead guided walks: You'll be responsible for designing and delivering engaging and informative guided walks for visitors of all ages and abilities. You'll need to be able to communicate effectively, adapt your approach to different audiences, and create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
- Share your knowledge: You'll be expected to have a good understanding of the arboretum's tree collection, history, and ecology. You'll need to be able to share this knowledge with visitors in a clear and interesting way, making connections between the trees and their natural environment.
- Provide excellent customer service: You'll be the first point of contact for many visitors, so it's important to be friendly, welcoming, and helpful. You'll need to be able to answer questions, provide information, and resolve any issues that may arise.
- Participate in training and development: We provide ongoing training and support to our volunteer guides to help them develop their skills and knowledge. This may include attending workshops, seminars, and online courses.
What we're looking for:
- Passion for nature and trees: A genuine interest in trees, plants, and the natural world is essential. You should be able to share your enthusiasm with others and inspire them to learn more.
- Excellent communication skills: You'll need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with visitors of all ages and backgrounds, adapting your language and style to suit their needs.
- Good interpersonal skills: You'll be working with a team of other volunteers, as well as interacting with visitors from all walks of life. You should be able to build strong relationships and create a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team: You'll need to be able to work independently to plan an-d deliver your guided walks, but also collaborate with other guides and staff to ensure the smooth running of the program.
- Commitment to the role: We're looking for volunteers who are committed to the role and willing to give their time and energy to help us achieve our mission.
Benefits of volunteering:
- Access to exclusive training and development opportunities
- The chance to meet new people and make friends
- The satisfaction of knowing that you're making a difference
How to apply:
If you want to learn more about becoming a volunteer guide at Westonbirt, please take a look at the full role description here and sign up to attend the upcoming recruitment day here.
We look forward to hearing from you!
