Duke of Edinburgh Placement

Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital is very happy to be supporting students on their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

We offer students (over the age of 16) the opportunity to do your Volunteering Section in an environment where you can meet some amazing wildlife that you would never normally get the chance to see. Tiggywinkles treats over 10,000 British wild creatures every year, so there are always over 1,000 animals of a huge variety of species being cared for in our Hospital.

Placements are for a minimum of one half day (9am to 1pm) at the weekend, for the duration of your Award requirement.

Volunteering Section

Voluntary work will be hands-on husbandry working with the sick and injured wildlife in the hospital.
Volunteering will involve a minimum of one half day each week. We do not offer placements for less than a half day each week.

The main tasks are hands-on husbandry of the thousand-plus wild animals currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at our Hospital – which means you will spend your time cleaning cages and enclosures, preparing and providing food, with some handling of a variety of wild species.
Full training and PPE will be provided.

In addition you may be asked to help out with:

• Enclosure & site maintenance as required, which could involve weeding or painting
• Assisting with deliveries of food stuffs
• Talking to the public, if working in the Visitor Areas (mainly answering their questions!)

Requirements

• Students must be over 16 and able to work independently
• You must have an up to date tetanus vaccination and no allergies to animals or animal foodstuffs
• Tasks are very physical, so be prepared for working inside or outside, whatever the weather.
• Dress code is jeans and a plain black top, with trainers or boots. Wellies and waterproofs are recommended when working outside (dark coloured outdoor clothing only).
• No jewellery and long hair must be tied back at all times.
• As a charity, Tiggywinkles cannot offer any financial support or help with accommodation or travel.

Tiggywinkles may terminate the placement immediately if any Health and Safety or Animal Welfare rules are broken, or any placement student behaves in an unprofessional manner.

Still interested?

If you have a passion for working with wildlife and want some valuable hands-on experience, then fill out an application form today.