Bat Care Helpline Volunteer

Location: Home-based
Start date: Mon 5th October 2026
Deadline: 10am, 28th August 2026

Bats are amazing animals and an important part of our natural environment. There are 18 species of bat in the UK, all of which are protected by law because their numbers have decreased so dramatically. BCT operates a National Bat Helpline to provide almost 15,000 enquirers a year with easily accessible and accurate information, including getting injured bats to the care they need. The Helpline’s role in advising and supporting people who come into contact with bats is an important part of BCT’s work towards our vision of a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together.

About the role

As a volunteer on the VBCH, you take on Bat Watches in which you will answer calls from members of the public who have found grounded, injured, or lost bats. You will provide advice on a range of situations and put bat finders in touch with local bat care volunteers where possible. We consistently receive feedback from volunteers to say that this role can be challenging at times, but with the support from the team, and the knowledge that they are helping bats and advising members of the public makes it such a rewarding role. Many enjoy it so much that they return to volunteer the next season!

You do not need to have prior experience in conservation to volunteer, as full training and support is provided. Anyone who is interested in helping bats is welcome to apply! Volunteering for the Helpline is a great way to get involved in conservation from the comfort of your home and during your spare time.

Commitment

Winter volunteers will be ready to start Bat Watches on Monday 5th October. We hope volunteers will sign up to Bat Watches until May 2027 and there is always the option to continue volunteering after May.

We hope that volunteers will be able to sign up to at least 1-2 Bat Watches per month between September – May.

A Bat Watch is up to 3.5 hours (including 30mins break), please see below for Bat Watch times:

Weekdays

• Morning: 09:30 - 13:00*
• Afternoon: 13:00 - 16:30*

* Please note that VBCH winter season operates In Office Hours only.

All you need is:

• A computer/laptop with internet access (or a tablet, although a computer is preferable).
• A speaker/mic and headset to use with your computer, as phone calls will be received using an internet app on your device.
• A phone with reliable reception for contacting support staff where needed.

Skills and abilities

• Competent in using computers and entering data onto an online form.
• Accurate record-keeping.
• An interest in UK wildlife and conservation and/or animal welfare.
• Effective communication skills and ability to reassure members of the public during calls.
• Willingness to spend additional time reading training materials and keeping up to date with communications from the project coordinator.

Training and support

New winter volunteers must complete some introductory online training in their own time and attend one online training day on either:

• Tuesday 8th September 2026
• Thursday 10th September 2026

Training days will run between 10:30am and 2:30pm with breaks.

Returning winter volunteers (those who have done a winter season with us in 2024 or 2025), will receive a refresher training video instead. If you have done a winter season with us pre-2024, you will need to attend a full training day. Thank you!

All volunteers will also receive a comprehensive manual and full support from BCT staff during their assigned bat watches and throughout the season. During the virtual training day, we will provide an induction explaining what we do and how volunteers fit within our organisation. We will also provide training to assist you to meet the standards we expect from volunteers.

BCT will reimburse certain "out of pocket" expenses where required.

Benefits of volunteering with BCT

• Supporting and learning about the work of the leading NGO in the UK solely devoted to the conservation of bats
• Developing transferable skills that can help enhance your CV
• Developing confidence in speaking to members of the public
• Learning about opportunities to get involved in other aspects of bat conservation
• Learning more about bats
• Discounts to BCT training

How to sign up

To find out more and sign up, please click here. You will need to create a Better Impact account to sign up.

Further instructions on how to sign up are available on our website. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of the Helpline services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role description does not form part of any contract of employment. We are unable to take applications from individuals under the age of 18. We welcome applications from a diverse range of applicants.