You will need a vehicle to get to our centre or alternatively you can catch the No. 54 bus which runs along the A22 from Uckfield to Eastbourne. The bus stop is a short walk from the centre on the main road so plenty of care needs to be taken.
To check for the latest timetable please visit the Stagecoach website by clicking here. To help plan your journey by public transport please go to East Sussex County Council's journey planner site by clicking here.
We recommend wearing any suitable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, generally t-shirt and jeans/trousers with trainers or walking shoes is fine. You may be experiencing a few rescues too so just in case it is horrible weather outside we suggest bringing a coat with you.
Please do not wear; dresses, skirts, crop tops, flipflops/sandals, ties or dangly jewellery.
Your main duties will be to clean and feed the casualties in care every morning and evening. During the day you will likely be cleaning enclosures, restocking, sorting donations, observing first aid treatment, attending rescues and releases, orphan rearing (seasonal) and experiencing faecal sampling through a microscope. Please see the work placement role description linked below for more information.
You don’t need any experience as you will be trained when you start, however enthusiasm to learn and confidence around animals is preferred.
Much of the feed and clean shift involves handling animals, and you may also get to work in the orphan rearing room which involves feeding baby birds and occasionally handling them. So there is a lot of handling involved. You will never be asked to handle an animal that you are either not comfortable handling or that may cause you harm.
We try to send students out on rescues when it is suitable and when there are staff or other volunteers available to go with them, however we cannot guarantee how much you will be able to go out.
There are some restrictions for students under 18 with regard to going out on rescues and observing surgeries due to health and safety and safeguarding protocols.
You will need to bring a packed lunch with you, we have a microwave, kettle and toaster for your use.
A coat in case of going out on rescues in cold/rainy weather.
Any paperwork or booklets needed to be signed by your supervisor
Everyone working at the centre is required to have a tetanus vaccination that is still in date. You will need to check with your doctors that your tetanus vaccination is in date if you are unsure.
You will be trained on the different areas of the rescue centre by staff and other volunteers. We are always happy to answer any extra questions you may have.
There are generally one or two students working at the rescue at any one time, however we have a team of volunteers and staff that you would be working alongside.
They will be times where you might be working on your own. Initiative is welcomed but don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.
Unfortunately, as we are a small centre, we are unable to offer any accommodation for work placements.
Complete the application form linked below to the best of your ability.
This will get sent directly to Ellie, who deals with placement bookings.
Ellie will respond to you via email and liaise with you about availability and booking you in.
Please allow at least 5 working days for a response.
We can get booked up very quickly, sometimes almost a year in advance, so please give plenty of notice.
Complete the application form linked below to the best of your ability.
This will get sent directly to Ellie, who deals with placement bookings.
If you haven’t started your course for the year and you don’t know your timetable yet, please contact Ellie once you
know which day of the week you can commit to.
Ellie will then liaise with you about availability and booking you in via email.
We have very limited availability for one day a week placements, so you have to get in touch quick to avoid disappointment!
