Title: Education Volunteer

Location: Across the Wessex area (East Dorset, South Wiltshire and Hampshire) and our head office
in Salisbury. Depending on volunteer availability, location, and ability to travel across the Wessex
region.

Responsible to: Tracy Standish, Senior Education Officer.

Background

Wessex Rivers Trust (Wessex RT) is an environmental charity, dedicated to the protection and
conservation of rivers and chalk streams in the Wessex area. Wessex RT is part of the Rivers Trust
movement; the umbrella organisation helping to protect and enhance most of the UK’s rivers. The
Trust acknowledges that educating and engaging with a wide and diverse audience is essential to
sustaining long-term interest in our local rivers and chalk streams and empowering local communities
to take ownership of these precious habitats. To deliver on this ambition, the Trust offers an exciting
education programme to all areas of Wessex.

Role summary and purpose

Our volunteers assist the education staff with the delivery of the Trust’s River Education Programme to
school groups across the Wessex area, along with home education groups and youth groups. These
sessions include interactive assemblies, riverbank sessions and classroom sessions along with other
activities, like wildlife walks and night walks. Volunteers assist the Education and Engagement Team
at public events, educating a cross section of society about their local river. There are also
opportunities for Education Volunteers to contribute to Wessex Rivers Trust communications work,
such as blog posts, magazine articles, social media and event display interpretation boards.

Hours

Hours are to be determined by the Education Volunteer, considering their availability and their
location in relation to interested schools and groups. Frequency will depend on bookings, there is
likely to be a higher demand from March to October.

Generally, the delivery of sessions occurs within these times:

• School groups – term time weekdays 9am – 3pm

• Uniform groups – term time weekdays 5pm – 9pm

• Events – weekends 10am – 4pm

General support work can be carried out any time that suits the volunteer.

Volunteer Role

1. Assisting with the preparation and setting up of activities.

2. Providing support to children during the activities, including helping them identify river

invertebrates.

3. Cleaning river dipping equipment post session and packing away other equipment.

4. Supporting the Education and Engagement Team at community events and educating the

public about their local river.

Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences.

2. Genuine enthusiasm and passion for educating people about rivers and chalk streams across

the Wessex area.

3. Willingness to work with children and young people whilst in the river.

4. Basic water safety training will be provided.

Why volunteer for Wessex RT?

1. The opportunity to learn more about chalk stream heritage and wildlife.

2. The opportunity to champion the regions chalk streams and highlight the pressures they

face, helping to safeguard them for future generations.

3. The opportunity to meet other local people with similar interests.

4. Receive support and training from Wessex RT staff.

5. Being involved in enjoyable, outdoor activities.

Miscellaneous

1. All Education Volunteers will be required to undergo a DBS check and provide satisfactory

references.

2. Ideally participants would have their own transport or be able to travel around the local area.

Mileage expenses will be paid at 45p per mile as set out in HMRC’s Approved Mileage

Allowance Payment.