Volunteer Scheme

Our wonderful team of Volunteers are invaluable in helping us continue to grow and develop as a charity. Whilst we are not dependent on volunteers they do help us push our standards even higher, engage with more people and generally just be the best that we can be!

• It’s fun!
• It’s a chance to do something different
• You get to share your passion for wildlife and conservation
• You get to meet some amazing people

Here’s what some of our Volunteers say:

Wow, nearly six and a half years!! I always go home with a smile on my face and after spending the day working with wonderful animals and their dedicated and friendly team of keepers. A real privilege. – Peter, Animal Management Volunteer

I have worked in paid employment for about twenty years and am now in the fortunate position of being able to give something back and do some unpaid volunteering. I like being outdoors and have a love of animals, so helping at Africa Alive! is a pleasure. I get to mix with people of all ages and feel that the tasks I undertake are valued by the keepers and staff. – Lynn, Animal Management Volunteer

I work in a highly stressful job. Volunteering is great for my health and general wellbeing. – Darren, Animal Training & Presentations volunteer

I love how the team allow me to get stuck in but still always have time to help improve my knowledge. The best feeling about volunteering for me is that, I’m so hands on and work close to these animals. This gives me a huge satisfaction that the effect I put in directly reflects onto the animals and it’s always hugely appreciated by the keepers too. – Mark, Animal Management Volunteer

I really look forward to my day of volunteering once a week. My day can be very varied from spending time with the lemurs, assisting in Eureka!, or even foraging, to assisting the fantastic staff with school children’s education session’s small animal handling but the best thing is meeting the zoos patrons and helping them enjoy their day. – Steve, Visitor Engagement Volunteer

Interested in joining the team? Then here’s what to do:

• Read our Volunteer FAQs
• Check out our current opportunities and read the relevant role description
• Complete and return and expression of interest form
• Even if there isn’t an opportunity listed that seems quite right then fill in a form and our Volunteer Co-ordinator will get in touch and see how we can put your unique skills to use!

Current Opportunities

• Visitor Engagement (Volunteer Role Description – Visitor Engagement)
• Education (Volunteer Role Description – Education)
• Animal Management (Volunteer Role Description – Zoo Animal Management)
• Parks & Gardens (Volunteer Role Description – Parks & Gardens)
• Projects (coming soon!)

Please Note

• We have a minimum age of 18 years old for volunteering
• Please read the FAQs before applying
• Volunteering is not the same as work experience. If you need to complete a set number of hours for an academic course then please visit our Work Experience page.

By Post: FAO Volunteer Co-ordinator, Banham Zoo, Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norfolk, NR16 2HE

By Email: volunteer@zsea.org

In order to reduce costs and save paper we prefer to correspond via email so please remember to include email addresses where possible.