Wilderness Volunteers
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human.
No one has made it through life without someone else’s help. “
No one has made it through life without someone else’s help. “
Heather French Henry

Volunteers from Essex and Suffolk Water at our Down to Earth Allotments.
Our Volunteer Roles…
Work with Young People
Day Programme Youth Mentors
Weekdays AM/PM
1-2-1 Youth Mentors
Weekends AM/PM Weekdays Evenings
Youth mentor volunteers must pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service background check and also complete child protection training.
These costs are covered by the Wilderness Foundation.
Work Outdoors
Environmental Education Support Volunteer
Weekdays AM/PM
Allotment Support Worker
Weekdays AM
Groundskeeper or Gardener
Weekdays AM/PM
Use Your Skills
Project and Membership Administrator
Weekdays AM/PM
Marketing and PR
Weekdays AM/PM
Volunteer Management
Weekdays AM/PM
Videographer/Photographer/Events Organiser
Adhoc

Our award winning volunteers are vital to running our programmes, including:
- Helping troubled young people turn their lives around
- Working outdoors to help preserve wild spaces
- Working on fundraising and public awareness campaigns
- Gaining the satisfaction of contributing to the wellbeing of people and the planet
Most volunteer opportunities are in and around Essex and the London area but some volunteering roles can be done remotely.
Key points from one of our Youth Mentor Volunteers:
- Safeguarding is the top priority to keep the young people and the adult facilitators safe at all times.
- We always operate within a fixed set of simple rules and guidelines, including confidentiality.
- I have noticed a marked improvement in mood and outlook in the majority of the YPs that attend WF programmes.
- It often takes a few meetings to gain the YPs’ confidence and belief that you have their back and are on their side.
- Progress is rarely linear and sometimes YPs are in a bad space that requires gentle patience and empathy.
- Occasionally there are breakthrough moments when the barriers come down and a YP really opens up and talks freely about their underlying problems, concerns and fears.
- None of the YPs are “broken”, they’re usually just traumatised by events that overwhelm them.
Volunteer Quotes
“It is great to find a charity that provides real value to a wide selection of society. It makes me proud to look back on how much the ESW team achieved. Having a real “before and after” project outcome that fits the company just an hour event provides great motivation.”
“I look forward to attending WF’s events as I always learn something new about people and find it very rewarding. I respect the people that work at the WF: they are committed to improving YP’s lives and are great to work with!”
How to Apply
To register your interest in a volunteer position, please download and complete the Volunteer Application Form.
Completed forms should be returned to our Volunteer Coordinator via email info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk