Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer with us at Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood National Nature Reserve We are lucky to have a fantastic team of over 200 enthusiastic volunteers who support the charity’s work across many areas. Our volunteers make a real contribution to Bradgate Park’s landscape and wildlife conservation, as well as championing our visitor experience across the whole Estate. Thanks to the plentiful numbers on board already, we are not currently recruiting but will advertise opportunities for specific areas of volunteering where we need support on this page. See the areas our volunteers provide support below. Archivers This group works to preserve and archive physical images, paintings and documents on site, including working to preserve with artefacts such as tiles from Bradgate house. Walk Leaders & Back Markers We have volunteers that lead on a variety of walks including our Wartime Walk, Bird & Bat Walks. Volunteers lead and back marker on weekly Monday Wellbeing Walks. Volunteers also back marker on tours ran for members of the public such as Veteran & Ancient Tree Walks. Education Volunteer We have an award-winning programme of education sessions that are delivered by our volunteers to educational groups. These sessions are offered in a variety of subjects from Lady Jane Grey to Stone Age history. Community Champions This group goes out to community groups and gives talks about Bradgate Park covering topics such as managing the wildlife, ancient trees and human history. Conservation Volunteers are involved in a range of hands-on conservation and maintenance tasks. Tasks are seasonal and include maintaining the historic dry-stone walls, invasive plant species control, tree frame construction, charcoal making, helping with wildlife surveys and more. Photography Our photographers help document our work in caring for the Estate. Their photography is used to promote the Park on our web pages, social media and in promotional materials. Photography sessions are very flexible, but our photography volunteers also capture scheduled events and lead photo walks for the public. Patrollers Patrollers are the eyes and ears of the Park helping to protect the landscape and assist visitors. Armed with a radio and litter picker, they are the first point of contact for visitors and inform the rangers of any issues. Patrols take place around the park, Swithland Woods and Cropston Reservoir. Group litter pickers go out weekly to keep the Park litter-free and looking its very best. Tour Guides Our Tour Guides are primarily based at the Ruins or Old John Tower, volunteers open these spaces to share their knowledge with visitors. Gardening Volunteers take care of the green spaces across the Estate. Our volunteer gardeners can usually be found working in the Ruins Garden, including opening this up to the public, growing veg in the allotment and working in the polytunnel. Visitor Centre Volunteers help guide visitors around our Visitor Centre space, sharing their knowledge of the park, engaging visitors with artefacts, and facilitating craft activities. Events Volunteers help steward and support our events such as outdoor theatre, local fairs, our Summer Fayre, and even being an elf at Christmas. They often help with activities such as crafts and games & engage directly with our visitors. Manage Cookie Preferences