Surrey Docks Farm is a working farm that rears a range of livestock to demonstrate where our food comes from and to promote animal welfare. Produce from the animals, including meat and eggs, is sold through the farm shop when available.

Livestock volunteers assist with all aspects of animal care. Daily duties include helping with feeding, mucking out enclosures, sweeping the yard and paths, collecting eggs, exercising and putting the animals away at night.

Livestock volunteers should have an interest in animals and their welfare and be prepared to get stuck in with routine, dirty and physical tasks in all weather. Enthusiasm and interest in animal care is essential, skills and knowledge can be taught!

Livestock volunteers need to commit to a set morning (9am-1pm), afternoon (2pm-5pm) attending on a weekly basis, ideally for a minimum of three months. Set times are important, so that we can stick to routine times for the animals we’re caring for and know we’ll have enough help.

Please be aware we have a small staff team with only one Livestock staff member per day and as such volunteer supervision is very limited. We do provide on-the-job training, but expect volunteers to be capable of working independently to complete a set task.

In line with our Safeguarding and Health & Safety Policy, volunteer roles are for adults only, so to be eligible you will need to 18 years or older. We deliver Youth Clubs for those under 18’s find out more about this offer and how you can get involved here.

We’re now welcoming volunteer enquiries! Please complete the form below to register your interest and we’ll then be in touch to invite you to an initial induction to meet you, explain more about the role and complete the volunteer paperwork.