Volunteering at CAT
We need more changemakers. Volunteering at CAT gives you the chance to develop skills and support our work offering practical solutions and providing hands-on learning to help create a zero carbon world.
![Growing organic vegetables at CAT](https://cat.imgix.net/2019/02/volunteer-in-the-CAT-garden.jpg?fit=crop&fm=pjpg&h=1080&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1920&wpsize=inline_content_left_aligned)
Gardens Volunteer
![Volunteers planting trees](https://cat.imgix.net/2019/02/volunteers-in-the-wood.jpg?fit=crop&fm=pjpg&h=1080&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1920&wpsize=inline_content_left_aligned)
Woodlands and Water
![Looking down at the CAT site](https://cat.imgix.net/2024/07/CAT_October2018_km_182-compressed.jpg?fit=crop&fm=pjpg&h=1080&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1920&wpsize=inline_content_left_aligned)
Fundraising Volunteer
![Looking across the CAT site](https://cat.imgix.net/2022/03/Centre-for-Alternative-Technology-Aerial-2-1.jpg?fit=crop&fm=pjpg&h=1080&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1920&wpsize=inline_content_left_aligned)
Invitation to express interest in becoming a CAT Trustee
Apply to be a volunteer at CAT
Day volunteers
If you live locally or have arranged your own accommodation nearby and are interested in becoming a regular day volunteer, an application is not need. To get in touch about day volunteering, please email volunteering@cat.org.uk.
Learn more about day volunteering
Six-month residential volunteers
When applications are open, please fill out the six-month residential volunteer application form and return to volunteering@cat.org.uk by the deadline given.
Following the application deadline there is a shortlisting stage, during which the various role supervisors invite a maximum of 16 people to join a trial week here at CAT.
Learn more about being a six-month residential volunteer
Key dates
- Applications for the winter 2024 placement open on 26 May.
- The deadline for applications is 28 July.
- The trial week for this placement will be Monday 12 – Friday 16 August 2024.
- The start of the winter 2024 placement will be 28 October.
Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to accept long-term volunteer applications from under-18s or from overseas nationals. We apologise for any disappointment this may cause.
Please email completed applications to volunteering@cat.org.uk
Please email enquiries to volunteering@cat.org.uk
Download the 6 Month Volunteering Application Form
What our previous volunteers have said
As a mid-life career changer, coming to live and work at CAT as a residential volunteer has indeed been life-changing. It’s helped me put down roots in a new part of the world after two decades in London, and I now plan to study here and develop a more nature-focused career. All the site staff and volunteers look out for each other, it’s almost like being part of an extended family. I’ve loved my time at CAT and am excited about what comes next.
![Joe Downie, Woodland and Water volunteer (October 2021 – September 2022)](https://cat.imgix.net/2019/01/trawweb.jpg?fit=crop&fm=pjpg&h=152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=152&wpsize=square_152)
Joe Downie, Woodland and Water volunteer (October 2021 – September 2022)
CAT allowed me the space and time to disconnect and just be, but ultimately reconnect to nature and myself. My time volunteering gave me more clarity on where I wanted to go in life, but more importantly who I wanted to be. I’m forever grateful for the experiences I had and the people I met along the way. Diolch CAT…. for being a space of regeneration, of nature and the human spirit.
![Julia Robertson, Woodland and Water volunteer (October 2021 – March 2022)](https://cat.imgix.net/2018/12/reservoir-at-CAT.jpg?fit=crop&fm=pjpg&h=152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=152&wpsize=square_152)
Julia Robertson, Woodland and Water volunteer (October 2021 – March 2022)
The CAT staff and volunteers really believe in what they are doing - something you don’t find in many work places. It’s a really inspiring place. A springboard for so many people in so many ways, that’s why so many volunteers wish they could stay.
![Rachel Solnick – Gardens Volunteer](https://cat.imgix.net/2023/04/wood-cabin.jpg?fit=crop&fm=pjpg&h=152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=152&wpsize=square_152)
Rachel Solnick – Gardens Volunteer
Contact us
Need more information or some help? Don't hesitate to contact us and a member of our team will get back to you.