Volunteer With Us
We are always looking for people who share our vision and values to support us in our work by giving their time, skills, knowledge and experience by volunteering with us at The Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall.
Wild Futures is a UK primate welfare and conservation charity rescuing, campaigning, educating and providing sanctuary to primates in need.Â
As a charity that receives no government funding, Wild Futures is reliant upon the generosity of our supporters, donors and volunteers to meet the ever-increasing demand for our specialist help and support.
Volunteers enable our funds to stretch that bit further and enable us to benefit from a wider range of skills and expertise so that we can do even more to help primates.
Wild Futures offers various volunteering opportunities which are outlined below. Our charity simply could not function without the help of people generously giving their time, so we would love to have you join our team!Â
We host up to 10 volunteers at a time, all year round, in shared accommodation at The Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall, UK. Placements usually run from 2-8 weeks but can also be anywhere between 1-12 months. No special qualifications are needed, we just ask for volunteers to be enthusiastic and hard-working with a general concern for animals and the environment. You need to be over the age of 18 and have a good working knowledge of the English language.
Many people who hear about our Sanctuary are interested in learning more about our work, how we care for the monkeys and what it is like behind the scenes.
Although volunteers do not work directly with the monkeys (who require consistent, specialised care from experienced primate care staff), they do help make sure that things run smoothly. Volunteers help to clean the enclosures, prepare the monkey’s food, learn to identify edible wild leaves and make enrichment items for them. They also help with site upkeep and other daily tasks, gaining a unique insight into the work we do.
We offer a limited number of 12-month long volunteering opportunities based at our sanctuary in Cornwall, UK.
The long-term volunteering opportunities with Wild Futures aim to give you a detailed understanding of working within a true sanctuary, and are available in various departments across our charity.
It is an exciting opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, working alongside an experienced team, with the chance to earn a recommendation from a GFAS accredited, highly respected primate sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, due to insurance limitations, we are unable to offer volunteer placements to people under the age of 18.Â
Wild Futures operates on a ‘no contact’ basis with the primates in our care.Â
Similarly, volunteers at The Monkey Sanctuary do not have direct contact with the primates.
Unfortunately, Wild Futures is unable to sponsor potential volunteers for the purposes of acquiring a visa. Â
There is no direct public transport to The Monkey Sanctuary, however below is listed the closest public transport links to our site.Â
via Train: Looe Station (change at Liskeard Station) – please note a pre-booked taxi will be required to reach the Sanctuary
via Plane: Exeter Airport or Newquay Airport
via Ferry: Plymouth Ferry Port (for ferries from Roscoff or St Malo)
Wild Futures is a small charity who does not receive any government funding.Â
As such, we request a small donation of £40 per week of placement to help cover the costs of volunteer programme.Â
Yes, communal accommodation can be provided for the length of your placement.Â
Volunteers are housed within Murrayton House, the beating heart at the centre of The Monkey Sanctuary’s 10-acre coastal site near Looe, Cornwall.Â
Wild Futures provides the following:Â
- A communal kitchen – including cookware, crockery and cutlery.Â
- Bedding – duvet, duvet cover, sheet and pillow.Â
- Communal washing machines – including laundry detergent
- Overalls and wellies suitable for cleaning of monkey-related spaces and items.Â
- Communal bathroom and shower facilities.Â
Given our rural location, Wild Futures covers a weekly delivery of communal food for staff and volunteers.Â
As a strictly vegan/vegetarian site, this includes pantry staples and basics such a bread, cereal, milks, pasta, fruit and vegetables. Â
Should you have any dietary or allergy requirements, please contact [email protected]
