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Become a Volunteer
Looking to make a difference for Britain’s wildlife? Based in the beautiful village of Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, Tiggywinkles offers a unique and rewarding environment for volunteers of all backgrounds. As the UK’s busiest wildlife hospital, we give you the chance to work alongside a passionate team in a professional veterinary setting dedicated to rescuing, treating, and rehabilitating wild animals. Whether you're gaining hands-on experience for a future in animal care or simply want to support a cause close to your heart, volunteering with us is a truly meaningful way to give back. Explore the different volunteer roles available and find the one that’s right for you.
Volunteer Rescuers
Become a Wildlife Hero After Dark
Do you thrive on a challenge and want to make a real difference?
Tiggywinkles is calling on compassionate, dependable individuals to join our team of Volunteer Rescuers — especially those available during evenings and weekends, when many animals are most in need.
Every day and night, wildlife in distress needs urgent help – from injured foxes and orphaned badgers, to swans tangled in fishing line or deer struck by vehicles. As a Volunteer Rescuer, you’ll be a vital first responder, transporting these animals safely to our specialist
hospital in your own vehicle.
We’re Currently Recruiting:
- Night-Time & Weekend Rescuers
Live anywhere in Bucks or Oxon? Free on evenings or weekends?
You’re who we need most right now. - Daytime Rescuers
Available on weekday daytimes in Oxford, Abingdon, Kidlington,
Bicester, Buckingham, Witney, or Woodstock? We’d also love to hear from you.
What You’ll Need:
- Be 21 or over
- Have a car with a hatchback or large boot (or a small van)
- Be able to provide two employment references
- Passion, patience, and a heart for wildlife
What We Provide:
- Full hands-on training in animal handling and transport, held onsite at Tiggywinkles
- All necessary equipment for rescues
- Ongoing support and guidance from our expert team
Whether you’re responding to a fox in a garden or helping a deer in the dark, your actions can save a life.
Ready to Rescue?
Take the first step and fill in our Rescuer Application Form
Become the reason a wild animal gets a second chance – especially when no one else is awake to help.
Volunteer Ambulance Driver
Love wildlife and want to make a real difference? Become a Volunteer Ambulance Driver for Tiggywinkles and help rescue sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals in your local area.
Using your own vehicle, you’ll play a vital role in collecting casualties and bringing them safely to our hospital for treatment. We’ll provide you with full training and the necessary equipment – so you’ll feel confident and prepared for every callout.
What you’ll need:
- To be 21 or older
- Access to your own vehicle
- Two employment or character references
- A calm, compassionate attitude and a genuine love of animals
Whether it’s a hedgehog caught in netting, an owl hit by a car, or a baby bird fallen from a nest, your time and kindness could save a life.
If you’re ready to help British wildlife on the front line of rescue, we’d love to hear from you.
Fill out our Ambulance Application Form
Volunteer Fosterers for Orphaned Juvenile Mammals
We are looking for Volunteers to foster orphaned juvenile mammals in their own homes.
All training and equipment will be provided. Baby season runs from roughly April to October time, so we are looking to recruit and train people who will be available across the whole baby season. We are looking for people who are available most of the time throughout the day, 7 days a week. Juvenile hedgehogs, for example, need feeding every 2-3 hours and can take a little while to feed. Each feed may take 15 to 30 minutes for the group of babies that you would be caring for. All volunteer Rescuers need to be over the age of 21 and be able to provide two employment referees. You also need your own transport.
If this sounds like the right fit for you, please fill in our
Husbandry Volunteers
We are looking for Husbandry Volunteers to assist in the Hospital and Rehabilitation Enclosures doing animal husbandry one day each week, on Mondays or Fridays, 9am to 5pm, on a regular basis, for a minimum of 6 months.
Husbandry work involves cleaning cages and enclosures in our very busy Hospital; preparing and providing food for the animals; along with cleaning, tidying and seasonal enclosure maintenance across the rest of the Hospital areas – working inside and outside, in all weathers. Bedding needs to be washed and dried every day. Food bowls and utensils are washed and sterilised every day.
Volunteers need to be able to work quickly and efficiently to minimise the stress levels on our wild patients. Our goal is to release animals back into the wild at the end of their treatment, so minimal handling of animals is essential to keep them wild. We also do not talk to our animals, as they find this very stressful.
Volunteers need to adhere to all health and safety, and biosecurity policies and procedures at all times.
Volunteers need to be over 18, with current tetanus cover, and able to provide two employment-based referees, as all positions are subject to acceptable references.
All volunteers are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, as we work with young people and vulnerable adults.Volunteers are also required to complete and pass free online safeguarding training.
If this role is of interest to you, please fill in our
Visitor Centre Volunteering
Tasks to include:
- Upkeep of the centre – Gardening, jet washing pathways, leaf blowing, cleaning windows, painting etc.
- Kiosk cover, serving teas coffees cakes etc to members of the public.
- Holding animal talks for the public when colleagues aren’t available.
- Serving members of the public in the gift shop.
All visitor centre volunteers need to be over the age of 16.
If this sounds like the right fit for you, please fill in our Visitor Centre Volunteer Application form and send it to visitor@tiggywinkles.org.
Admin Team Volunteering
In the admin team we will be looking to recruit volunteers to assist Monday – Friday daytimes in our busy reception.
Tasks will include:
- Handling enquiries from members of the public both face to face at the casualty reception and over the telephone.
- Booking in Animal casualties.
- Liaising with members of the public and our Volunteers to arrange Rescues and Ambulance pick ups.
- General Administration support such as filing.
- Maintaining the cleanliness and overall appearance of the Reception area.
Qualities we would ideally be looking for in a Volunteer in this area:
- A professional and caring manner.
- Confident telephone manner.
- Some previous office experience or Experience of working in a public facing or customer service environment would be beneficial, but full training would be given.
- A high level of attention to detail.
We are looking to recruit Monday – Friday daytimes.
If this sounds like the right fit for you, please fill in our Reception and Admin Volunteer Application form and send it to mail@tiggywinkles.org.
Evening Crew Volunteering
Friday & Thursday evenings, volunteering from 7-11pm (or 10pm in winter)
Tasks to include:
- Book in casualties as they arrive
- Deal with public in person and on the phone
- Answering emergency phone and arranging rescues
- Assist with triage of animals on admittance
- Top ups around the hospital
You should be comfortable working independently
Full training provided
Sorry – no vacancies available at this time
Maintenance Volunteering
Tasks to include:
Assist in general outdoor maintenance to include fence painting & general DIY tasks.
To assist with repairs and upkeep of aviaries and enclosures.
Help with maintaining the grounds to include grassed areas, verges, hedges, plant borders and litter picking.
Internal redecoration to include small repairs, preparation work and painting.
To assist in any small projects.
If this sounds like the right fit for you, please email mail@tiggywinkles.org
Work experience placements
Over 16 and looking to gain real-world, hands-on experience with animals? Join us for a work experience placement and get up close with some of Britain’s most iconic wild species. Find out more…
