Work Experience Placements

We offer a limited number of opportunities for work experience placements. They are available to anyone studying or already involved in wildlife rehabilitation.

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer work experience placements to school pupils.

The routine jobs include cleaning out and feeding patients inside the Hospital on a daily basis. Some casualties need cleaning out several times a day. In the spring and summer months many youngsters require hand feeding from early in the morning until last thing at night. Other jobs include washing up, keeping the Hospital clean and tidy, mopping floors, preparing feeds and much more. Outside enclosures need cleaning daily and all outside casualties need fresh food and water every day, sometimes more than once a day.

Veterinary Student Placements – 

We are pleased to welcome Veterinary Students to attend a placement with us. For clinical placements, the student will work alongside our two part-time veterinary surgeons. Clinical placements get booked very far in advance. For pre-clinical/husbandry placements, students will work alongside our Wildlife Care Assistants, not our vets. We tend to have more availability for pre-clinical/husbandry placements as we can take more than one student at a time. You will be asked on the application form whether your placement is clinical or pre-clinical/husbandry.

Costs:

PLACEMENTS NOT REQUIRING ACCOMMODATION – £50 PER WEEK (NON-REFUNDABLE) PLACEMENT FEE, PAYABLE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.

RESIDENTIAL COSTS (ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION BELOW) – UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE HUGE INCREASE IN ENERGY PRICES, WE HAVE HAD TO INCREASE OUR ACCOMMODATION CHARGES. ANY BOOKINGS TAKEN AFTER 7th MARCH 2022 WILL BE £150 FOR THE FIRST WEEK, £120 FOR THE 2ND & SUBSEQUENT WEEKS (A 50%, NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF BOOKING, WITH THE BALANCE DUE NO LATER THAN 1 MONTH BEFORE THE PLACEMENT DATE). THIS CHARGE IS INCLUSIVE OF THE £50 PER WEEK PLACEMENT FEE.

IMPORTANT – the minimum age for placement applicants is 17 years. Placements can be for a minimum of 1 week (maximum of 4 weeks unless by special arrangement), between 1st February and 30th November each year. As the winter months are usually very quiet at the Hospital, the benefits to students at this time of year are limited and although we will accept applications for placements in December and January, you must be aware that most of the work during this period will be with hedgehogs, but will also include outside work such as aviary repair and general site maintenance.

Please note that placements are highly sought after and often get booked up more than 12 months in advance.

ACCOMMODATION. We have limited on-site, self-catering accommodation consisting of a 3 bedroom chalet-style mobile home (also has kitchen, living room, bathroom with bath and shower, and private garden). This accommodation is self-catering so please bring your own food. You will also need to bring your own towels. Bedding is provided but you are welcome to bring your own (or a sleeping bag) if you prefer. 

You must be prepared to share the accommodation with others.
Please tick the relevant box on the application form if you need accommodation.

A list of other local accommodation is available on request.

Students are required to work 5 out of every 7-day placement which may include one or both weekend days.

If you would like to be considered for a placement, please click here to apply online. If possible, give a second choice of dates in case your first choice is already fully booked. You will be contacted by post or email within 14 days of receipt of your application to let you know if your application has been successful.

You can get more information on our placements here

VOLUNTEER VETS WANTED

An amazing opportunity for vets to gain experience in the very different world of wildlife treatment and rehabilitation. We can offer short and longer term placements for qualified vets wanting to volunteer in one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the UK. More information can be found at here

 

Thank you so much for my 2 weeks of work experience with you in August 2018. I learned so much from you all & had such an amazing time.

Everyone was so kind, patient & hardworking. The work you do is so impressive & important & I feel proud to have been a part of it. It truly was a rewarding & worthwhile experience.

Maisie

University Centre Sparsholt