Volunteering at The Lake District Calvert Trust

The Centre can accommodate work placements and voluntary workers and we also offer volunteer placements for students studying Outdoor Education or Recreation. 

We currently have three volunteer schemes:-

Centre Volunteer: 

Volunteers assist our instructors in taking visitors out on activities. As our groups bring their own support staff, there is no care work involved.  No qualifications are required, but experience in the outdoors and an interest in working with people with disabilities are essential.  Volunteers should have good social skills and be willing to offer support as a “buddy” if needed.  We have a limited amount of accommodation on-site for volunteers over the age of 18, for which we charge a nominal fee.

Riding Volunteer: 

Volunteers help in a variety of ways such as leading a pony, side-walking a rider, escorting a ride, escorting a trap drive, assisting with grooming and touch sessions, and fundraising. Duke of Edinburgh and work experience placements can be arranged with the stables Manager (however no accommodation is available). No qualifications are required, but an interest in horses and working with people with disabilities are essential.

Buddy: 

Buddies help individual visitors during their stay with us, for example reminding them where to be and what they should be wearing. There is no personal ‘care’ work involved. The Buddy accompanies the visitor on activities and socialises with them in the evenings.  They may stay in our visitors’ accommodation on site.

In addition to the above, we also have a pool of local people who volunteer on a regular basis at the main centre for various tasks such as maintenance, bed-making, general help with outdoor activities and so on. 

NB: All volunteers must have satisfactory references and enhanced CRB approval prior to working with us. This process may take several months, so please apply well in advance of your intended volunteering dates.

For more information on volunteering at the Centre, please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Annie Read on 017687 72255 or enquiries@lakedistrict.calvert-trust.org.uk

For enquiries about volunteering at our stables, please call our Stables Manager, Henri Carew, on 017687 72250 or email her on stables@lakedistrict.calvert-trust.org.uk