WDC has a wide range of volunteering positions available, including office administration, educational speakers, research internships and even residential placements at our Scottish Dolphin Centre in the Moray Firth. We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, and each have their own reason for joining us.

  • To gain new skills and experience
  • To socialise
  • To help whales and dolphins
  • To build self confidence and awareness 


Volunteers give as much or as little time as they can, be it an hour a week or five days a week. Depending on your existing skills and what you want to gain from volunteering with WDC, we have a range of opportunities available.

 

Volunteer Speakers

While there is no such thing as a typical volunteer, perhaps the most popular choice is to join our team of Volunteer Speakers. Armed with our WDC Volunteer Speaker presentation package, the UK-wide network give educational talks about whales and dolphins, the threats they face, and how WDC is involved in helping to protect these amazing creatures.

Our Volunteer Speakers undertake a varietry of talks, and audiences can include primary schools, scout and girl guide packs, social clubs and relevant community events in your local area. The amount and variety of talks that you undertake will depend on your own schedule, demand for talks in your area, and how far you are willing to travel.

Volunteer Speakers are responsible for organising their own talks and sending feedback to the Volunteer Speaker Coordinator at WDC head office. We also recommend that you promote your services as a Speaker to your local groups, as this will increase the frequency and effectiveness of your work, although WDC head office will ocassionally contact you with opportunities as well.

Please note that Volunteer Speakers must be over 18 years of age.

 

Head Office

If you are local to Chippenham, then opportunities are also available in our head office on St Paul Street. Office Administration volunteers help us with a wide range of duties, including data entry and secure destruction, organising our incoming and outgoing mail, answering telephones and emails, and helping to collate and conduct research for campaigns. Where there is demand, we also welcome volunteers with specific business and secretarial backgrounds. Please note that we are not able to help with living cost or accommodation at this location. 

 

Scottish Dolphin Centre

Our Scottish Dolphin Centre in Spey Bay, Moray offers a seven month residential volunteer package. Volunteering with the Scottish Dolphin Centre, you will be expected to cover a variety of work areas, gaining experience in all aspects of conservation work in a lively setting.

Tasks will include giving talks and nature walks, environmental education, shore-based research, bird and butterfly surveys, retail and customer service, event organisation and practical reserve conservation. Residential placements run between February and September. WDC provides accommodation and food for these positions. See our jobs page for details on when the recruitement for these roles takes place.

 

US Office

WDC North America offers a volunteer / intern programme to qualified applicants throughout the year. The programme provides a unique opportunity to garner experience in research, education and conservation of marine mammals. WDC is willing to help qualified students obtain credits for the programme through their college or university.