Interested in becoming a Barn Volunteer?
Reports to: Barn Supervisor
Time Commitment: Flexible – ideally a regular weekly shift (minimum 2 hours)
Training Provided: Yes (animal handling, safety, infection control, trauma-aware communication)
Purpose of the Role
Barn Volunteers play a vital role in caring for Stonebridge City Farm’s animals and ensuring their welfare, while helping maintain a safe, clean, and educational environment for the public. You’ll work closely with staff and other volunteers to feed, clean, and observe animals - contributing to their health and happiness and to the calm, therapeutic space the farm provides for visitors.
Key Responsibilities
- Feed animals, refresh water, and follow feeding routines accurately
- Muck out pens and clean enclosures, keeping animal areas hygienic and safe
- Groom and interact gently with animals under supervision (e.g. goats, rabbits, sheep)
- Monitor animal wellbeing, reporting signs of illness, injury, or stress to staff
- Engage with visitors safely, answering questions or sharing facts where appropriate
- Help with enrichment activities, such as toy rotation or simple habitat upgrades
- Follow safety procedures, including handwashing, biosecurity, and correct PPE use
- Use trauma-aware practice, being mindful of others who may be nervous or unfamiliar with animals
Ideal Qualities
- Comfortable around animals of all sizes and confident working outdoors
- Reliable, observant, and willing to get hands-on (it can be muddy, noisy, and physical)
- Able to follow instructions carefully - especially for animal welfare and safety
- Respectful, kind, and patient with other volunteers, staff, and visitors
- Open to learning about animal behaviour and inclusive communication
What you'll gain
- Hands-on animal care experience in a real farm environment
- Training in welfare, behaviour and safe handling
- A Volunteer Skills Passport to track your progress and learning
- A sense of purpose, routine and connection to nature and the community
- Opportunities to grow in confidence, leadership, and responsibility