Volunteering

If you are 16 or over there are many ways in which you can help Foal Farm by volunteering.

Before volunteering you will need to complete an application form and you will need to read our health and safety guidelines. Both documents can be downloaded here. For the sake of your own safety and well being you need to have good communication skills and the ability to work independently.

Roles that we are currently seeking voluntary help for can be found under the job vacancies section on the left.

If you would like to discuss volunteering opportunities please email Jenny at volunteering@foalfarm.org.uk.

If you are 14 or over and interested in our work experience opportunities please email Cathy on work.experience@foalfarm.org.uk

General Cleaning and Mucking Out

Every day the animals at Foal Farm need to be cleaned out, fed, watered and checked. This is done in the morning before the visiting public arrive at 1.30pm. Most volunteers arrive between 8.30am and 9am so they can be included on one of four animal 'rounds'. In the afternoon there is general tidying up and a list of odd jobs to do. If you want to stay all day, you will need to bring a packed lunch, though we do provide squash, tea and coffee. You will need to wear sensible clothing that you do not mind getting muddied.

Cat Fusser and Groomer

Cat Fussers help with socialising and interacting with the cats in our care. Many of our cats become depressed at losing their homes and often need coaxing to eat. All long haired cats need regular grooming and many short haired ones benefit from grooming too. Abandoned kittens and young cats often need to be taught how to play and need to experience lots of different people and situations.

Dog Volunteers

Foal Farm dogs love their walks, but some benefit from just chilling out with people or getting used to company. If you are 18 or over with experience of walking and/or training dogs and have some free time please get in touch. Before you are able to walk dogs you will need to be assessed and graded by a member of the Dog Team.

Homevetters

Being a homevetter helps us to place cats, dogs and small animals into the right homes. It is a valuable service to Foal Farm. You need to be 18 or over to be a homevetter.

Help in the Shops or Tea Room at Foal Farm

Foal Farm has three on-site shops – a pet shop, second hand book and jumble shop, (selling gifts and bric-a-brac) and a tea room (selling cakes, sandwiches to order,teas and coffees). All shops are staffed entirely by volunteers and we aim to open the shops every day (except Tuesdays when we are not open to the public). If you enjoy selling and/or catering we would love to hear from you.

Fundraising event helpers

We have a number of internal and external fundraising events that we hold each year and always need volunteers to man stalls or help with fundraising activities.

Collect Goods for use or sale

Foal Farm always needs newspapers and blankets for the animals and good quality bric a brac to sell in our shop. Please bring them along to the farm during normal opening hours.

Maintenance

There are always repairs needing to be done. If you are an electrician, plumber, gardener, carpenter or decorator with some spare time we would love to hear from you.