Join us – we are looking for Volunteer Assistant Leaders.

We always need people like you to help us run our projects.   

Ideally you will be interested in learning about one of the following areas.

• Forest Schools.
• Bushcraft.
• Outdoor Learning
• Eco-therapy.
• Nature Journaling.
• Team-building

Most of our projects take place in the Scottish Borders and sometimes the Lothains, so you will need to live within that region. We can pay reasonable travel expenses.

Recruitment.

Any potential new volunteer needs to be 18+.  

As we are working with vulnerable groups, potential volunteers undergo an interview, references, PVG check, induction training and a probationary period. Once through the probationary period, volunteers will be offered 1:1 support.

What we can offer. 

We can offer training in:

• IW Induction Training Day. 
• Child Protection.
• FOLA (Forest Outdoor learning Award) Level 4 – SCQF*. This is the main Forest Schools qualification route in Scotland. 
• Bushcraft Level 5 – SCQF (May 2026 onwards).

*We can only offer the FOLA when we are running sessions for clients using the FOLA. You would be able to do it alongside them.

Progression. 

Both Graeme & Daru (Directors), both started as volunteers, became Leaders, then became Directors. There is always opportunities to develop and grow in IW. 

Time Commitment.

The recruitment process takes about two months, all of which is done in our own time (unpaid). As such for Volunteer Assistant Leaders, we would expect volunteers to stay for at least six months. Projects often take place once a week over a set number of weeks, usually three to four hour sessions + set up and pack down time. We always have a briefing before the session and a debrief afterwards, planning together for the next session. As you are a volunteer it is up to you as to how many sessions you volunteer on. 

Expenses.

We pay reasonable travel expenses. Where possible we prefer to car share, to minimise our carbon footprint and minimise costs. 

Get in touch.

The main thing is to get in touch and have an informal chat. We are always pleased to meet new volunteers.

In the first instance, please download our IW Volunteer Induction Handbook Dec 2025 – FINAL once you have read through it and want to proceed, then get in touch with Pete Carthy for an initial chat.  

Email: pcarthy@instinctivelywild.co.uk

Mobile: 07555445605.