Welsh Mountain Zoo Volunteer

Tuesday 9th May 2017

I attended an informal chat with Susan Jones and have agreed as a result to work with them as an Artist moving forward, starting after half term.

They have two project of specific interest, one which is a recycled project involving bottle tops. This is to be a community project and it is already ongoing.

The second project they wish to start is a project about the issues surrounding Palm Oil production. This is probably where I can help them best.

I will also probably help with photography during events and some poster making.

Sunday 7th May 2017

Prior to attending the meeting, I reviewed the Welsh Mountain Zoo web site and in particular their volunteer scheme page.

• http://www.welshmountainzoo.org/volunteer-scheme/

Who?

The Volunteer Scheme is open to everyone over the age of 18 (there is no maximum age).

Our Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, including…

• Unemployed
• Retired
• Students looking for experience to go alongside studies
• Part-time employed wanting to help out

When?

Active volunteers are expected to complete a minimum of 2 hours a week, but this can be arranged around your schedule, subject to availability. We expect Animal Volunteers to volunteer for 1 full day a week (between 8-5) and ideally to commit to a minimum of 12 months volunteering.

Why?

Below are some of the reasons people choose to volunteer. For some it provides an opportunity to:

• Give something back to the Zoo
• Make a difference to the lives of others
• Help the environment
• Feel valued and part of a team
• Spend quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
• Gain confidence and self-esteem

For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. From this perspective, volunteering can be a way of:

• Gaining new skills, knowledge and experience
• Developing existing skills and knowledge
• Enhancing a CV
• Improving one’s employment prospects
• Gaining an accreditation
• Using one’s professional skills and knowledge to benefit others (usually described as pro bono)

For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include:

• Meeting new people and making new friends
• A chance to socialise
• Getting to know the local community

How?

For more information please contact the Education Officer: education@welshmountainzoo.org.

For an application form, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
The Education Officer, Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay, North Wales, LL28 5UY

What?

Click on the Volunteer Role to find out more about that role.

Animal Department –
Animal Volunteers – Animals are what most people come to see at the Zoo, and it is therefore incredibly important that they have their own dedicated team to help look after them.
Enrichment Volunteers – Animal Enrichment is a crucial part to keeping animals in captivity by creating a more stimulating environment for the animals. It can encourage natural behaviours such as foraging for food, exploring the enclosure, social interaction or simply playing and problem solving.

Education Department
Animal Volunteers (currently unavailable) – The new WILD Centre will house a number of live animals for use in our WILD Sessions. This will include a variety of small domestic mammals, as well as reptiles, invertebrates and other exotics.
Young Zoologist Volunteers – The Welsh Mountain Zoo Education Department is looking for enthusiastic and willing volunteers to assist with the delivery of our successful Young Zoologist Days programme. These days are for children aged 8-12 with an interest in the Zoo.
Art Volunteers – The Natural World has long inspired artists, and here at the Welsh Mountain Zoo we want to promote art to our visitors. This could include running craft events with visitors.
Visitor Education and Engagement Volunteers – Educating our visitors is an important part of the work we do here at Welsh Mountain Zoo. We do this using a number of methods, including signage, interactive and multimedia displays, talks and guided walks.

Gardens and Grounds Department
Garden Volunteers – The Gardens and Grounds are as important to the Zoo as the Animals and Education. They are maintained by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Social / Fundraising
Fundraising Volunteers – Volunteers will assist with any fundraising projects around the Zoo or in the local community. These might be for specific Zoo projects (enclosure improvements), BIAZA/EAZA/ WAZA campaigns, or any other charitable cause that match the aims and objectives of the National Zoo for Wales.

Steph Davies, Education Volunteer

I absolutely LOVED my GO Wales work taster at the zoo!! I had so much fun helping to teach the Young Zoologists about exotic animals and current conservation issues. Think I enjoyed it more than the kids!

Philip Wilson, Animal Volunteer

Working in the Zoo was the single most amazing experience I have ever had. Not only were the keepers fantastic people, they also taught me a great deal. In all sincerity, my proudest achievement was, without a doubt, learning how to use a rake.

Traci Knight, Education, Social, and Fundraising Volunteer

I started volunteering at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in April 2014, in my relatively short time here it has changed quite a whole outlook on my life. My main duties are helping clean and feed the small animals in the Education Centre which has also seen me walking our ferret Katie on a lead round the Zoo in the Summer months! I was also proud to help head up the influence/participation in the ‘Pole to Pole’ campaign in 2014, and am currently assisting with the new fundraising initiatives”

Susan Jones began volunteering in 2012 after studying Conservation Biology and Management. She found herself in part time retail employment and wanted to do something worthwhile on her days off, so would help out with the Education Department running the Zoo Club, Junior Board and Young Zoologist Days during the school holidays.
After a short time working abroad and having completed a teaching qualification, when the job of Education Officer came along, Susan was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and landed her dream job.

Jen Quinlan began volunteering at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in 2009. Jen was studying Zoo Animal Management at the University of Wales, Bangor and found that volunteering at the Zoo helped her to put in to practice things she had learnt while studying. A trainee position opened up at the Zoo while Jen was volunteering and after undertaking this role, she is currently studying for a Diploma in the Management of Zoo & Aquarium Animals.

Sunday 30th April 2017

Having found a Volunteer Artist role at the Welsh Mountain Zoo on the Volunteer Wales website, I decided to apply.

I was then contacted by Susan Jones at the Zoo who requested an informal meeting, which I arranged for Tuesday 9th May at 3:30. See email thread below.

• Gmail – Volunteering Opportunity