Winter Wildlife Companions
Why Volunteer with Evergreen?
growing friendships through a love of nature
Could you spare 20 minutes every two weeks to make someones day? Winter Wildlife Companions is a new volunteer opportunity from Evergreen Care Trust, bringing companionship, conversation and a connection to nature, to older people who may be isolated, housebound or living with long-term health conditions.
By simply visiting twice a month to refill a bird feeder and enjoy a friendly chat, volunteers can help make a real difference to someone's wellbeing during the winter months.
If you enjoy meeting people, love nature, or simply want to give back to your local community, we'd love to hear from you.
role responsibilities
As a Winter Wildlife Companion Volunteer, you'll be matched with an older person in your local community and visit them twice a month between November and April.
Visits typically last around 15-20 minutes and involve:
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Refilling and cleaning a bird feeder
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Sharing a friendly conversation
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Providing a regular social connection
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Encouraging an interest in local wildlife and nature
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Noticing any wellbeing concerns and reporting these to the Evergreen team if needed
No specialist knowledge of birds or wildlife is required. The most important qualities are kindness, reliability and a willingness to listen.
Why Volunteer?
A short visit can have a lasting impact.
For many older people, particularly during the winter months, opportunities for social interaction can be limited. Your visit may become a highlight of someone's week, providing companionship, routine and a shared interest in the wildlife visiting their garden.
As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to:
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Make a meaningful difference to someone's life
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Build friendships within your community
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Help reduce loneliness and social isolation
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Learn more about local birds and wildlife
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Gain experience in community volunteering
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Be part of the Evergreen volunteer family
At The Evergreen Care Trust we rely on a team of dedicated volunteers who help deliver services across the local community so that older members of our community are supported and cared for. Not only is volunteering a great way to help others, it's also a way of meeting new people, developing new skills and being a part of a warm and supportive community. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, we'd love to hear from you!
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Build rewarding friendships
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Make a real impact on someone's life
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Gain valuable experience and training
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Be part of a supportive community
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Uncover new places in the local area
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Attend exciting events
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Share laughter and stories
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Opportunities tailored to your interests
Useful Resources
There are no skills or qualifications needed to take on this volunteer role, just a passion for helping others and a love for nature. Please note that during recruitment we will ask all volunteers to complete a DBS check and attend some of our volunteer training to ensure all parties are safe and confident. Please feel free to explore the resources below to find out more about supporting wildlife as part of this new programme.
Merlin is a free app which can identify birds through photographs and bird songs. It's a great way to build and discover your knowledge for local wildlife.
Please read through the advice given by RSPB on how to safely feed and support birds over winter.
Uncover more about the birds you might spot the garden via Birdspot
How to get in touch?
We’re looking for volunteers who can support a member at their home once every two weeks for 15-20 minutes. This role is perfect for anyone who has some spare time on their hands and is looking to give back to the local community, especially those who enjoy meeting people, has a passion for wildlife and helping Evergreen continue to grow. To find out more, you can call Evergreen on 01780 765900 or email volunteer@evergreencare.org.uk.