Volunteer
Volunteers help in many of our departments and play an important role in our visitors' enjoyment and understanding of our Gardens.
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Opportunities to Volunteer
We encourage individuals to support our activities by becoming a volunteer. Volunteers support the work of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in many ways and play a central role in the welcome and experience of our visitors.
The main role of the volunteer is to increase the educational value, interest and enjoyment of a visit to the Garden. This includes explaining the vital role of plants in everyday life and the need to ensure better management of the world's resources.
Volunteers are involved within various areas of the Garden including Horticulture, Science Communication, Phenology, Events, Exhibitions, Herbarium and Library.
We encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds, and value the positive impact that this has on our team. RBGE is committed to ensuring that all volunteers are treated equally irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, and pregnancy or maternity.
All opportunities to volunteer are advertised on this page when they arise.
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Looking for Job Vacancies?
These are advertised on our Staff vacancies page
Current opportunities
- Mighty Oaks Children's Summer Holiday Club Volunteers
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About the role
Join us and play your part in nurturing the naturalists of the future!
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who enjoy working with children to assist with our Summer Holiday Club at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). RBGE has a diverse education offer for all ages and you will become part of a vibrant and experienced team.
Do you have experience of working with children and young people? An interest in facilitating outdoor, sustainability and STEAM learning? A supportive and caring nature, as well as a willingness to have a go? Then we want to hear from you! We need volunteers who have a sense of fun and curiosity to encourage exploration and learning in an informal setting.
This short-term volunteer opportunity is perfect for anyone interested in sharing the joy of plants and nature with children. You will have fun while gaining experience in outdoor learning and getting ideas of how to approach science topics in creative ways which you might share with your community or through careers in education, horticulture or science communication.
The Mighty Oaks Club will run for four weeks over the school summer holidays from 8 July to 2 Aug 2024 with groups of 15 children from 8 to 12 years old. They will take part in an exciting programme with themed days where they will explore the power of plants through activities in the garden and accompanying activities inside. These activities include storytelling, sensory exploration, nature observations, trails, arts and crafts, games and more. Days are designed to allow for flexibility to suit the group, weather and to allow time to relax and make new friends. You will join a team of 3 adult helpers consisting of the lead holiday club officer and volunteers, with support from our core schools team staff.
Commitment
This role requires a commitment of a full week to ensure continuity for the children. You will be based at our Edinburgh site. You will be required between the hours of 9 am – 4.30 pm and will be allocated times to take breaks and have lunch. You will also undertake 1 day of induction with the team before the club weeks begin.
How to apply
If this sounds of interest, we would love to hear from you, please see here for additional information.
Please complete an application form and return to volunteering@rbge.org.uk
Closing date: 5pm BST 16 May 2024
You will hear from us during the week of the 20 May.
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Contact Volunteering
All volunteer opportunities will be promoted on this page when available; if there are no opportunities above, please try again at another time.
If you have any queries relating to volunteering at RBGE, please get in contact by using the enquiry form
Get in Touch