Farm Work Placements

Work Experience Placements (typically 1 - 4 weeks in duration) - These are fixed term placements are reserved for those studying an animal related course at college or university, who are seeking to complete an EMS placement as part of their coursework. However, they are also suitable for any current students who simply wish to gain practical experience to advance their course of studies. Please be advised that depending on demand, priority will be given to students who require the completion of an EMS placement as a mandatory part of their coursework

Long Term Volunteer Placements (Every Sat or Sun, recurring for a minimum of 4 weeks) - Developed so that individuals who are not currently studying an animal related course at college or university still have the opportunity to gain valuable hands on experience working with animals.

Both Work Experience and Long Term Volunteer Placements are subject to a trail day which must be completed a minimum of 1 week prior to the placement commencing.

Application Criteria

• A minimum of 17 years old
• Physically fit and able to complete the manual labour associated with animal care and farm work.

Application Form

Download an 2024 Work Experience Info and Application to apply

Museum Volunteers

Operation of the museum, and the museum website, provides all sorts of opportunity for volunteer participation, either in our programme of historical research and digitisation, or in assistance with other museum services. Once again, the number of positions is limited and when vacancies arise these are filled by selective interview.

For volunteering in the work of the museum, please see our museum website www.scottishshale.co.uk for further details and an application form

Corporate Volunteers

Corporate Volunteer bookings now being taken, sessions will start April 2024

To allow us to meet our charitable aims we have introduced a suggested charitable donation of £150, which will offset the costs of the materials and consumables on the day. This donation can be made via cheque, BACS, Card or Cash to be received prior to your session

Every year we're pleased to welcome many groups of work colleagues who choose to spend a day at Almond Valley wielding paint brushes, spades and rakes. Sometimes this work is structured as a team challenge, on other occasions it's a more relaxed opportunity for groups of colleagues to work together for the common good.

Tasks are nearly always outdoors and involve team-based environmental tasks such as building paths, planting hedges, or painting fences. We provide tools, direction and other necessary support. Where a group is able to contribute towards the costs of the materials used, this greatly extends the scope of what might be achieved.

Sessions suit groups of between 8 to 12 people, (although larger groups might be accommodated on certain dates), and typically start at about 10 o'clock and finish about 4. You can bring a picnic, or arrange to have your lunch in the tearoom at an agreed time. Working clothes are essential, and gardening gloves highly recommended.

When you book your volunteering session we'll probably not be able to provide precise details of your task as our work programme continually moves forward. However all tasks will involve outdoor gardening or landscaping type jobs that require no special skills, (other a willingness to get your hands dirty), with a range of activities that suit all abilities.

Once you are able to commit to go forward with the task on an agreed date, we can confirm this booking and arrange the necessary resources and materials needed for your task. Please contact us to check availability.