Volunteering

Volunteer at the Centre

The successful running of our Centre is only possible with the help of our team of volunteers. Whether it’s just a few hours a week, a specific skill or becoming a residential intern for the season, there’s bound to be something you can help with, and all in an amazing environment.

There are lots of ways you can help out at the Scottish Dolphin Centre by volunteering:

Leading tours, dolphin watching, shop work, gardening, handy person, events, school talks, face-painting, photography and much more! Plus you don’t have to be a dolphin expert, we give you all the training you need.

Residential volunteers

Residential Volunteer Guides join us on a full-time basis for one of three placements.

The 2024 placements should run as follows –

  • April to the 30th of August
  • 4th of June to the 27th of September
  • 3rd of September to the 1st of November

You should be able to commit to the whole placement to gain the full range of experience. Applications go live around 9 weeks before the start date of each placement. Register your interest to be reminded.

This is not a rolling programme where volunteers come and go. It is for a fixed period of time. Unfortunately, we cannot take on overseas volunteers at this time.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WDC Scotland team and play a vital role in our work. Your hard work and support help towards our vision of a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free.

What’s in it for you?

  • Make a positive difference to marine conservation
  • Environmental interpretation and education experience
  • Project management
  • Events organisation
  • Research experience
  • Based in a beautiful location with a huge variety of wildlife, including dolphins!
  • Build skills and experience for a career change

The length of your placement will determine which activities you have time to take part in.

We also provide:

  • Free onsite accommodation in an area of outstanding natural beauty
  • £35 weekly food budget per person
  • Training and support
  • Mileage expenses

For further information contact Cath Bain, SDC officer,  on 01343 820 339 or email: [email protected] 

Christiana Ellis 2023 Residential Volunteer – “living at Spey Bay as a residential volunteer guide is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my ecological journey.”

Jamie McDermaid 2022 Residential Volunteer- “It’s been a really fun experience but also an incredibly enlightening one. I’ve learnt so much more about whales, dolphins, and their conservation, and have even had the privilege to pass this knowledge onto others.”

Maddie Cayley 2022 Residential Volunteer – “Spey Bay is the most special place, and I learned so much not just from the amazing centre staff, but also thanks to the generosity of everyone who was willing to chat away with me.”

Want to find out more about volunteering from past Volunteers? Check out these blogs.

Reflections on Autumnal volunteering

Reflecting on a summer at Spey Bay

Three days Shorewatching on the Isle of Skye

A whale and dolphin bonanza in the Outer Hebrides

Community Volunteering

Are you looking to get involved helping at the Dolphin Centre? Get in touch if you would like to join our Gardening or Maintenance Teams or if you have others skills that you think we can use.

Our Community Volunteers are a valued part of the Scottish Dolphin Centre Team and we are ready to welcome new people at any time.

For further information contact Cath Bain, SDC officer,  on 01343 820 339 or email: [email protected] 

Shorewatch

WDC Shorewatch is a network of trained volunteers monitoring the presence and absence of whales and dolphins at selected sites around the Scottish coastline, in order to raise awareness and capture vital data crucial to the long term future of these amazing animals. Find out more.

Upcoming Events

The Snail and the Whale Storytelling

Date: 14-10-24
Time: 11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Scottish Dolphin Centre
Snail and the Whale cut down poster
Join us for a free Storytelling Session of the wonderful The Snail and the Whale followed by some themed colouring in!
No booking required, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday 12th October and Monday 14th October 11:15am start 🐌🐋
Event poster

Nature Champions

Date: 17-10-24
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Scottish Dolphin Centre
Event poster

Come and join us at the Scottish Dolphin Centre for a fun filled children’s holiday club aimed at 6 – 9 year olds.

Each session will have a range of games and activities with a different conservation or nature theme. Meet in the Scottish Dolphin Centre Education Room, or come to the shop and our staff will tell you where to go!

Please come dressed appropriately for the weather.

All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Each child needs their own tickets but adults don’t need to book.

For more information please ring 01343 820339.

 

Event poster

Room on the Broom Storytelling

Date: 19-10-24
Time: 11:15 am
Room on the Broom cut down poster

Come on down to the Scottish Dolphin Centre for a Storytelling and colouring session for Julia Donaldson’s fabulous Room on the Broom.

No booking required for this free, drop in, activity. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Monday 7th October & Saturday 19th October 11:15am start.

 

Event poster