Support us

Volunteer

Join our dynamic team of volunteers who are a vital part of our mission to improve the lives of horses, ponies and donkeys.

Volunteer

volunteer with us

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for The Horse Trust

Our volunteers are vital in helping us with our work to improve the lives of horses. We occasionally have opportunities to volunteer or carry out work experience at our Home of Rest for Horses and events around the UK. You must be 16 or over in order to volunteer for The Horse Trust.

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  • “I have been a sponsor (with my husband, Paul) for quite a few years and the thought of being a volunteer was an outstanding wish. So the day I actually started in the Tea Room was very special. I have now been with this wonderful charity for more than five years.”

    – Black Beauty Tea Room Volunteer, Jo

  • “It’s amazing to be a volunteer at the HT, from the moment you enter the grounds, you appreciate the magical beauty of the place. With the horses happily grazing in the fields of their forever home.l really appreciate being part of a fantastic team of people that love and care for these fabulous creatures.”

    -Yard Volunteer, Ann Maria

  • “I have been a volunteer at The Horse Trust for two years now. I heard about the charity through work and decided to volunteer after meeting Londonderry and Elizabeth on a site visit. I have learnt new skills and have made lovely friends. It’s also helped me with my wellbeing and has become my safe and happy place. I never tire of the beautiful view when driving through the gates, knowing that these horses have given their life to service and are now enjoying their retirement. It warms my heart knowing I get to play a part in their journey whilst showering them with love and friendship.”

    -Yard Volunteer, Hayley

  • “Becoming a volunteer at The Horse Trust has to be one of the best things I have done. 
    Supporting a cause that is very dear to my heart. Not only have I been able to help at a variety of events, I have also made a good friend and met so many interesting people. It’s fun, and gives me so much satisfaction. There’s a warm welcome waiting always.”

    – Event Volunteer, Karen

  • “I consider it a privilege  being a volunteer for the Horse Trust, and have done so for many years. It is a wonderful opportunity to help in whatever way I can for such an amazing cause about which I am passionate. The work of the HT in caring for retired service horses, and also rescuing cases of cruelty and neglect, is second to none. I have met many good friends over the years, and the HT team are amazing. I thoroughly recommend anyone who shares a love of horses to consider being a volunteer and you will be welcomed with open arms.”

    – Event Volunteer, Mo

  • “It is a privilege it is to work with the team at the horse Trust, it’s a beautiful oasis in my hectic life! I love the different characters of the horses and the care shown by all the grooms. Coming to the horse Trust is also great for my wellbeing, horse cuddles work wonders.”

    – Yard Volunteer, Carol
volunteer

Regular Yard Volunteer

For volunteers aged 18 or over who are able to make a regular, reliable commitment of at least one day per week. Volunteers will help the yard staff with general yard duties including mucking out, grooming and feeding horses, changing rugs, field checks and general tidying and yard maintenance. We are currently looking for yard volunteers so please complete the application form below.

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Volunteer

Voluntary Work Experience Placement

For students who are looking for temporary volunteer work experience placements (minimum length 2 weeks). Please note: Work placements are currently only available to veterinary students or students who are currently studying or have recently graduated from an equine related college course.

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volunteer

Event Volunteer

Help support the charity by volunteering at some of our events including those such as our Christmas Open Day, Neddy Noel and our Horses, Hounds and Heroes event at The Horse Trust in Speen. You can also help us at events such as Royal Windsor Horse Show and many others.

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Volunteer

Black Beauty Tea Room

Volunteer with us in our beautiful Black Beauty Tea Room serving delicious cakes, drinks and our gift shop items to members of the public on our open days.

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Corporate Volunteer

Join us for a rewarding day in the countryside with your colleagues, helping support The Horse Trust’s vital work. Corporate volunteering is a fantastic way to build team spirit, enjoy the great outdoors, and make a lasting difference to horses in need.

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If you are interested in any of our volunteer opportunities please complete the volunteer application form below and send it to us at info@horsetrust.org.uk or post it to The Horse Trust, Slad Lane, Speen, Buckinghamshire HP27 0PP.

Volunteer FAQs

You must be 18 years of age or over to volunteer on the yard. For health and safety reasons we are unable to accept volunteers under 16 years of age as yard volunteers. There is no maximum age as long as you can make a useful and safe contribution, the activity is suitable for your age and won’t harm you in any way.

You must be 16 years of age to volunteer in the Tea Room. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must give permission for you to volunteer and you must be supervised by an adult and not left alone. We cannot always provide supervision so this may restrict the number of volunteering opportunities available for under 18s. There is no maximum age as long as you can make a useful and safe contribution, the activity is suitable for your age and won’t harm you in any way.

In general there is no minimum time you must give but for some roles such as Yard Volunteers we request a minimum commitment e.g. one day a week. You can decide with your manager what arrangement works for you while also meeting the The Horse Trust’s needs.

Most roles do not require any specific skills or experience. The skills and qualities we are looking for are always specified in the role description. Current roles are listed in volunteer opportunities. If our volunteering roles require you to have particular skills these will be clearly stated in the role description.

As a volunteer you will not be paid. We are afraid that we are currently unable to cover travel or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by volunteers.

We do not provide any formal training, but you will receive health and safety training and be given a thorough induction to your role so that you are confident in what we are asking you to do.

If you are interested in any of the volunteer roles listed on our website please download and fill in an application form and send it to us at info@horsetrust.org.uk or The Horse Trust, Slad Lane, Speen, Bucks HP27 0PP. If a suitable volunteering opportunity is available we will contact you and invite you for an informal chat. This allows us to check that the role is right for you and you are right for the role.

We are unable to offer groups hands-on volunteering opportunities with our horses. However, there are occasionally other volunteering opportunities available such as general site maintenance and volunteering at events. If you wish to discuss volunteering opportunities for your school, community group or organisation please contact us on info@horsetrust.org.uk.

Volunteer Policy

  • You will be made to feel welcome by the charity
  • All volunteers will have equality of opportunity
  • You will be appreciated and recognised for your contribution to The Horse Trust
  • You will be provided with training and support in order to fulfill your volunteer role
  • You will be covered by The Horse Trust’s insurance
  • Your working conditions will be safe and healthy
  • The Horse Trust will help you to resolve any problems that arise
  • You will be volunteering for an organisation which opposes all forms of illegal discrimination
  • The Horse Trust will seek your views on volunteering and your experiences as a volunteer
  • Conduct themselves appropriately at all times
  • Fulfill volunteering within the terms specified in organisational policies and procedures
  • Be reliable in attendance
  • Fulfill the duties as outlined in your Volunteer Role Description

The Horse Trust reserves the right to withdraw an offer of volunteering if the above criteria are not fulfilled. For the avoidance of doubt volunteers are not employees or members of staff and it is not intended that they should be.

Volunteer Registration Form

We always need volunteers for our horse charity but the volunteer opportunities change regularly and tend to go quickly. Be sure to check these pages to keep up to date or, better still, be among the first to find out what’s available by signing up for our free monthly e-newsletter.

Volunteer Registration Form

Part 1: Personal details

Address *
Address
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
Country

Part 2: About you

Which volunteer role are you interested in? *
Background and interests
Availability
Declaration *
Do you have the right to work in the UK? Please note: if you do not have the right to work in the UK you run the risk of deportation by volunteering. *
Do you have any unspent criminal convictions or is there any action pending against you? This will not necessarily prevent you from volunteering – each case is dealt with on its own merits. *
Do you have a disability or specific need for which special arrangements or adjustments are needed for the role? All information is strictly confidential. If yes, we may contact you in confidence to discuss your requirements. *
Please confirm by checking the box: I agree that the information I have given is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and complete. *

Data Protection: The information that you have provided is required to administer your interest in volunteering with The Horse Trust. It will be held securely on The Horse Trust database and in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

We may send you additional information about The Horse Trust and our work. If you do not wish to receive information from The Horse Trust, please tick here.