Volunteer with us
Volunteers are very important to us. Giving your time to help us makes a real difference to our work.
World Horse Welfare’s vision is a world where every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding. Our mission is to work with horses, horse owners, communities, organisations and governments to help improve welfare standards and stamp out suffering in the UK and worldwide.
Do you have the gift of time?
Volunteers are at the heart of our work helping our staff to make a difference. There are various opportunities by which you can join the team including helping on the yard, gardening, greeting visitors and helping us educate the public on what we do or general administrative support. We are always looking for an extra pair of hands.
World Horse Welfare is committed to championing equality and diversity in all aspects of volunteering. We encourage applications for all of our opportunities from under-represented groups, particularly ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. We are very open to discussing reasonable adjustments and will do our best to accommodate any requests.
We ask for all our volunteers to be over 18. For our younger supporters we have a work experience scheme – find out more here.
To find out more about volunteering for us please email volunteering@worldhorsewelfare.org or call 01953 497266.
To apply for one of our volunteering opportunities, please fill in our online application form.
Volunteer Yard Assistant
Join us as a Volunteer Yard Assistant at one of our four rescue and rehoming centres where rescued horses begin their journey to a brighter future – receiving the expert, compassionate care they need to heal and thrive.
As a Volunteer Yard Assistant you’ll play an important role in supporting the smooth running of our yards by helping with day to day tasks. Your contribution will allow our expert grooms to focus on rehabilitating horses and preparing them for a loving new home.
This is a physically active role where you’ll get to be part of a friendly and inclusive team, experience the satisfaction of making a real difference, and have opportunities to be involved in other charity activities, such as open days. While horse handling may be limited, the sense of purpose, teamwork, and enjoyment are unlimited!
If you’re reliable, enthusiastic and enjoy working as part of a team, we’d love to hear from you. Our centres are currently looking for volunteers to help on the following days:
- Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerton, Somerset: Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Fridays from 9am to 11am, with the option to stay on until 1pm once established.
- Hall Farm in Snetterton, Norfolk: Any day except Tuesdays.
- Penny Farm in Blackpool, Lancashire: No opportunities currently available.
- Belwade Farm in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire: No opportunities currently available.
Interested? Download the role description for full details and apply today!
Visitor Centre Volunteer
Do you enjoy meeting new people and creating a welcoming atmosphere? We’re looking for friendly volunteers to help in our Visitor Centres based at each of our four rescue and rehoming centres.
As a volunteer you’ll help greet visitors, answer questions and help create a positive experience for everyone who comes through the doors. You will also assist with reception, in the coffee shop or activities such as yard tours and open days, sharing information about the work we do for horses.
Volunteering with us is a fantastic way to connect with others, make new friends and learn new skills – all while being part of something rewarding. Whether you can give a few hours a week or more, your time will make a real difference. Currently, our centres are looking for volunteers to help on Saturdays and Sundays between 11am to 3pm.
Interested? Download the role description for full details and apply today!
Trustee
Could you become one of our Trustees to help guide our work?
World Horse Welfare’s volunteers help our work in many different ways, from lending a hand at one of our farms to joining our Council of Trustees. This elected group of professionals is responsible for the overall governance and strategy of our charity and, to do this effectively, our Council includes people with diverse areas of expertise, interests and backgrounds. In return for their time and knowledge, Trustees enjoy the opportunity to use and build their skills, attend a range of special events, become part of an outstanding network, and influence the direction of our charity.
We currently have two vacancies – for a practicing equine veterinary surgeon and for someone with significant experience in one or more of the following areas: fundraising, cybersecurity and data management (where equine experience would be a bonus, but you only need an empathy with our aims and an interest in helping to guide our work). We take pride in our values of being realistic in our approach, compassionate in our attitudes, and forward-thinking in anticipating challenge. The successful person will be expected to share these values.
The charity embraces a diversity of perspectives to inform our day-to-day work, and for this to be reflected in the membership of our Council. We encourage expressions of interest from currently under-represented groups, including people from a broad age range, LGBTQ+, ethnically diverse communities and people with disabilities.
If you have relevant experience and would like to express an interest in becoming a Trustee, then please email a covering letter and your CV to Fiona Abel via fionaabel@worldhorsewelfare.org. The closing date is Friday 24th April 2026.
