Do you want to become a Colchester Zoo Wildlife Education Volunteer?
As part of Student Volunteering Week 2026, we are going to be helping to deliver educational activities to visitors at Colchester zoo! To get involved, you will need to attend this induction session happening on Wednesday 11th February, 9am - 4pm (travel time is included, transport is organised by VTeam).
You must also be available to volunteer for at least one day between: Saturday 14th Feb - Sunday 22nd Feb.
Click here to sign up!
After you complete the induction training, you will be able to act as a Colchester Zoo Volunteer, working at the Zoo on a day of your choice during the following week:Saturday 14th Feb - Sunday 22nd Feb. You must be available for the training day and at least one of the 9 days between 14th February and 22nd February to be eligible for this opportunity.
Induction and engagement training day covers key health and safety information, operational procedures, the science of learning, and how to effectively engage people.
If you have any questions regarding this volunteering project, please email: vteam@essex.ac.uk
- DO NOT REGISTER IF YOU ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON WEDNESDAY 11th FEB.
- DO NOT REGISTER IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND A DAY OF VOLUNTEERING WITH THE ZOO: Saturday 15th Feb - Sunday 22nd Feb.
- DO NOT REGISTER IF YOU ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN A FREE TRIP TO THE ZOO.
MORE INFO ABOUT VOLUNTEERING AT THE ZOO:
People who sign up to volunteer at Colchester Zoo will contribute their time to help us achieve our goals of furthering understanding and respect for nature and contributing towards wildlife conservation. Volunteers will spend their day out in the park talking to visitors directly and using props, activities, and games to teach a variety of topics from animal care and welfare to conservation and the illegal wildlife trade. Engagement with volunteers should give visitors a deeper appreciation for nature and the knowledge of the actions they can take to benefit wildlife both locally and in the wider world.
Volunteers can expect public engagement and prop use training as well as demonstrations of all the activities they will be running from experienced educators. This scheme is a great way to build knowledge, personal confidence, and social skills as well offering the chance to experience the daily workings of a modern zoo. At all times volunteers will be supported by the Colchester Zoo education team who will be on hand to help them get the most out of their time at the zoo.
No prior knowledge of animals or conservation is needed! Just plenty of enthusiasm, the desire to learn new things, and the willingness to work as part of a vibrant team.
Click here to find out more about the other volunteering opportunities you can get involved in during Student Volunteering Week!