Wild Futures (CES/SVE)

Name: Wild Futures (CES/SVE)
Start: 2019-02-01
End: 2020-01-31
Location: GREAT BRITAIN

Code: 75da21c3-0f63-11e9-9abc-0242ac110024 Copied

GREAT BRITAIN Youth activities Culture Environment European Voluntary Service Youth activities Culture +2 Permanent

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Wild Futures is the only UK charity with a holistic approach combining an educational and environmental remit dedicated to promoting the welfare, conservation and survival of our closest living relatives, the non-human primates. We are working to end the primate trade and abuse of primates in captivity, promoting the rehabilitation of captive primates and the preservation of those in the wild, whilst operating a sanctuary for primates in need of a
home for life.
Our safe haven for monkeys saved from mistreatment is The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, UK. We recently celebrated our 50th Anniversary and have provided a home for life and specialist care for more than 160 monkeys over the years. We are proud to be the first and only facility in the whole of Europe to be accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), demonstrating that we provide humane and responsible care for our animals. Because most of the monkeys come into us extremely traumatized and damaged, we recognize the importance of ensuring long-term, consistent care from people they know and trust. We also rely heavily on volunteers to help us to run our sanctuary day-to-day.
As well as providing a home for life to monkeys in need, we work closely with other charitable organizations to lobby local and central government to try and bring about positive change for primates. Our campaigns work has led to much advancement, including political recognition of the trade in primates as pets, the publication of a primate code of practice as part of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and strong public support demonstrated by 45,000 petition signatures. We believe that education is vital for change and act in an advisory capacity in diverse forums, as well as educating visitors to our sanctuary and more than 3,000 school, college and university students on our work each year. We are committed to providing advice, practical support and funding to overseas projects linked with primate
welfare and conservation. We have supported primate projects throughout South and Central America and Africa, many of which involve conservation initiatives with local communities and government. When it comes to conservation though, we believe it’s just as important to conserve plant and animal species closer to home as those on distant shores, so we also work to conserve UK species in danger from habitat loss, including the lesser horseshoe bat and the pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly.

💼 What the programme involves

The volunteer will be do a lot of tasks, for example:

Arrange events with Education officer on site or off site. Conduct public talks to the visitors

Continue to arrange events on site or off site. Conduct public talks.

Preparation of food bowls (1-2 times a week).

Learn to and then conduct Skype calls for international schools.

Assist with public talks to our visitors.

Help create and manage social network event.

Learn about the species you are on through information provided by your supervisor and your
own research

Aid with the development of new sustainable systems, biomass boiler, solar panels etc

🏠 Accommodation on site

For volunteers staying 12 months, accommodation will be in a shared room with one other volunteer, or they will live privately on their own, or in a static caravan. Both types of accommodation are dependent on what is available at the time, so cannot be chosen by the volunteer. The accommodation provided is situated on site.

Volunteers staying two months will stay in one of our dorm rooms which can house up to 5 people. This room is located in the main house on site. The house is a 19th century building which serves not only as the headquarters of Wild Futures but also a living space for both keepers and volunteers. Volunteers who live in the house or in the caravans have access to the communal areas and facilities which include:
Kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, T.V and lounge, drying room and gardens.

Wifi is available but please be aware that because of our rural location the broadband width is limited and Wifi can therefore be slow. Volunteers are welcome to use the office computers after work hours if needed.

🍲 Food

This is a vegetarian and vegan household and basic food is provided. If you choose to buy food please do not store, cook or consume any meat products within the house. Volunteers are welcome to join the communal cook nights, where a keeper, intern or long term EVS volunteer will cook for the entire household. Cook nights occur 2- 3 times a week but you will only cook once every three weeks.

📍 About the location

The surrounding countryside is picturesque. The Sanctuary is in a quiet rural area with access to the coastal path nearby. If you are prepared to walk, Looe and the nearby coastal villages of Seaton and Downderry are reachable within an hour. Looe is a tourist town and fishing port and is busy with holidaymakers in the summer. Looe offers souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and walks along the coast or riverside. Boat trips are available to destinations such as Polperro (picturesque harbour village), Fowey, Looe Island (nature reserve) or along the Looe River. The nearest city of Plymouth which is 20 miles away, has bus and train connections from Looe. Other activities include visiting nearby Eden Project and Carnglaze Caverns. During winter, volunteers enjoy watching films and playing games by the fire.

Bikes are provided.

⚠️ Requirements

For French or Belgian volunteer!

Clear communication
Being able to speak good English is important for your own safety and that of your colleagues. As an EVS volunteer at Wild Futures you will work with potentially dangerous animals. If the volunteer does not speak English we will have problems communicating.

Motivation
A project that lasts for 12 months needs motivated volunteers. Please consider this carefully before applying! Let us know in your application why you want to join Wild Futures and which project you would like.

Hard working
This EVS project involves a lot of physical work. Up to 60% of the work will involve cleaning, be it the monkey rooms or the public areas. Unfortunately we cannot make exceptions as to the amount of cleaning, that is why you need to be passionate about the animals and the organization otherwise you will not enjoy this EVS experience.

Affinity towards animals
Having an affinity to animals is important to understand why people work hard for the primates. Most animals show signs of trauma and need to be re-socialized with members of their own kind. We have a ‘hands off policy’, so the interaction between the caretaker and the animal should always be minimal. The fact that the animals develop towards a more natural life should be the cause of satisfaction.

No allergies
Having allergies for animal fur is problematic as you have to be around them on a daily basis. The house you will live in a 19th Century Victorian house so please be aware that this old houses come some problems. Volunteers should be generally physically fit, healthy and have an enthusiasm for hard work.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.