Work experience, placements and award schemes
We welcome students on college and University placements, young people participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and clients from a range of social care organisations. As places are limited you will need to apply, but application is simple and we only ask for a willingness to take part and the ability to follow instructions with care. For those under 18 or doing work experience you will need to compete an information and consent form before you start. Unfortunately our site is unsuitable for people with mobility issues as the land is steep and uneven in places.
Work experience
We regularly offer work experience placements to students interested in animal care, agriculture and related subjects. You can expect to learn about cleaning, feeding, handling and inspecting the animals as well as looking after the land, garden and orchards following permaculture principles.
It is important to note we are not open every day so we are unable to offer a Monday to Friday work placement, instead students need to attend on some weekdays as well as the weekend. The maximum number of hours we can offer is 16.5 hours a week (including Saturday and Sunday). If volunteering as part of a scheme, please check that these hours will be enough. As places are in high demand, we expect students to do their best to stick to any arrangements that have been agreed to.
Award schemes
Young people participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award or similar are welcome to complete their volunteering hours with us at our Wednesday or Saturday drop-in sessions or as an assistant trek guide if appropriate. We have several start dates throughout the year with most students signing up for a three month placement.
The work available involves cleaning out the poultry pens, keeping the meadows clean of alpaca poo, providing the animals with food and water and helping with digging, weeding and watering in the vegetable garden and orchards.
You will be expected to keep a record of your own hours but we are happy to confirm your participation and complete an Assessors report.
Client placements
Our Wednesday and Saturday drop-in sessions offer a friendly and supportive place for people wanting to learn new skills and increase their independence in an outdoor setting. Holly Hagg is a low-pressure environment with jobs to suit a range of skill levels and people are free to go at their own pace.
We can provide tools and training, but our session leaders are unable to offer one-to-one guidance and supervision as they are very busy and move around a lot during volunteering sessions. If your client is unable to work on tasks independently once training has been given, please ensure that they attend with a support worker, parent or carer.
If you are interested
Send an email to [email protected] with your name, phone number, a little bit about yourself, which roles you are interested in (drop-in sessions and/or trek guiding) and let us know when you are free to start. If you are applying on behalf of a client, please introduce your organisation and your client, letting us know a bit about their skills and interests and whether you would like to set up a health and safety risk assessment before they attend.
Volunteering opportunities
Weekly drop-in sessions
Group volunteering
Work experience and DoE
Be a trek guide
Be an animal feeder
Junior volunteers
Useful resources
Zoonotic fact sheet
