Work with us
Are you looking for a rewarding way to make a difference in your local community?
We currently have volunteer opportunities available. If you are looking to gain experience, or you would like to give something back to the community, check out our roles below.
Working at HARE Forest School
HARE is a non-profit with the purpose of improving the physical and mental health and emotional well-being of children and families in and around the Forest of Dean, through connection with the natural world and building community. We run various groups and workshops including Forest School, gardening and group walks.
HARE aims to create a caring and collaborative work environment where everyone feels safe, fully supported and not judged. Our values are based on improving emotional well-being and creating and restoring community as well as nurturing individuals. Find out more about our team on our Meet the Team page.
Volunteer Days
HARE runs volunteer days/mornings/afternoons to enable you to get outdoors in nature, meet like-minded people and improve your well-being, while helping HARE maintain our beautiful woodland site.
Work may include:
Bracken and bramble bashing.
Raking fallen twigs and leaves.
Moving wood chip to prevent paths becoming muddy.
Helping build a "fedge" fence/hedge or hazel fencing.
Helping build things/simple woodwork.
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We plan for these to be weekly events in the run up to our new site opening in July, and then monthly to help keep the site maintained. Keep an eye on our social media, or give us a call to find out when we are next running a volunteer day if the dates below are not current.
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Next Dates:
Monday 10th June 1-4pm
Thursday 13th June 1-4pm
Thursday 20th June 1-4pm
Thursday 27th June 1-4pm
Thursday 4th July 1-4pm
Thursday 11th July 1-4pm
Thursday 18th July 12-4pm​
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Phone or whatsapp us on 07761164352 if you'd like to join us.
Forest School Volunteer
HARE runs a 2 hour weekly Forest Play 0-5 (parent & toddler style session), Forest School for Home Educating Children, After school forest workshop 8-11yrs, monthly family sessions (4 hours), school holiday workshops for 4-11 yrs and family retreats. All sessions are fully outdoor, and are autism and SEN friendly.
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Forest School volunteers work alongside the Forest School team, to provide activities, engage with children and families and manage the day to day running of the sessions.
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We are looking for enthusiastic, friendly volunteers that want to get to know the children and families we work with, to come alongside them and take part in activities together in our sessions.
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This rewarding voluntary role is a fantastic way to gain experience working with children and families in a nurturing environment, either weekly or in the school holidays. It is the perfect role for anyone training as a Forest School Leader or Forest School Assistant and needing a placement or further experience. It is great for anyone looking to go into education or the health and social care sector, where you will learn high quality practice from our qualified and experienced team members. Or if you simply love nature and being outdoors. It is also a great way to give something back to your local community by offering your valuable time to support local families.
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Ideally hours would be at least 3 per week. However, whatever you are able to give is a huge help.
Closing Date: 7th July 2024
To apply, please email Charlie on info@harecic.co.uk and ask for an application pack.
Administrative Volunteer
An admin volunteer works alongside the team, to provide business admin support which enables HARE to run our Forest School sessions. This role would be ideal for someone who has some experience in business admin, who would like to gain further experience, or who would like to join a nurturing team in a rewarding voluntary role.
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This voluntary role is a great way to gain further experience working within business admin. It is also a great way to give something back to your local community by offering your valuable time to support a local service in making a difference to families in your community.
This role could be mainly working from home. We are grateful for your support, even if you only have a very small amount of time each week, or each month. If you have more time and are looking to gain experience to develop your CV, this role could be combined with the above Forest School Assistant role.
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Closing Date: 19th July 2024
To apply, please email Charlie on info@harecic.co.uk and ask for an application pack.
Forest School Assistant
Are you passionate about the natural world and inspiring children’s love and knowledge of nature?
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Purpose of Role
Forest School Assistants work as part of our Forest School team, to provide activities, engage with children and families and support the day to day running of our workshops and services.
Dates
This role is initially to work in school holiday Children’s Forest Workshops with children aged 8-12 years.
Our Winter holiday workshops will be on the 3rd, 4th and 5th January 2024. Hours: 9:30am-4:00pm. Subsequent dates will be in the Easter, Summer and Winter holidays 2024.
The successful candidate may also have the opportunity to work in our after school workshops and one Saturday morning per month at our Family Forest Gatherings. If experienced with younger children there is the potential to work in our Forest Pre-School part time from Spring 2024.
What we are looking for
We are looking for a highly experienced and qualified educator who loves nature and the outdoors. If you’re happy to be outdoors all year round and love to share your passion for nature and the natural environment with children and families, this could be the role for you. If you’re passionate about child-led, holistic, nurturing, alternative education, we would love to hear from you.
Essential Qualities:
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Enjoy working with children of various ages, from a range of backgrounds and with varying needs
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Ability to meet the various different needs of all the children within a group
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Experience working with primary school age children
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A sound understanding of child development theory, attachment theory and educational pedagogy
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Passionate about meeting children’s needs holistically through child-led, experiential learning in a nature-based environment
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Experience working with children outdoors
Desirable Experience, Training, Qualifications or Certificates:
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Teaching qualification: PGCE or equivalent, Montessori, Steiner or other
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Level 3 Forest School Leader or Level 2 Forest School Assistant
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Playwork qualification
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Level 3, 4 or 5 qualifications in early years or equivalent
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Play therapy or other therapeutic training
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Experience working with children with additional needs
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Experience working with Early Years Foundation Stage and primary school age children
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Training in ELSA, Thrive, ACEs, PACE, Play therapy or therapeutic practice
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Enhanced DBS on the update service
This role is subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring check.
HARE runs a 2 hour weekly parent & toddler session, monthly family sessions (4 hours), holiday clubs, a home ed group, an after school club and family retreats. All sessions are fully outdoor and currently run from The Beaver Lodge in Parkend.
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To apply, please email info@harecic.co.uk and ask for an application pack.
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Closing Date: 1st December 2023
To apply, please email Charlie on info@harecic.co.uk and ask for an application pack.
Join the HARE Team
If you would like to volunteer or work with us, please email info@harecic.co.uk stating which role you would like to apply for and we will send you an application pack.
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Depending on the role, you may need an Enhanced DBS check. We will also seek references.
