Volunteer with us at FRIEND and make a real difference.
Weekend Volunteer Workdays
The next date is: Saturday 20th April 2024
11am meet by the main Sanctuary gate.
We host a volunteer workday the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month.
How to Volunteer at FRIEND…
WEEKDAYS.
We accept volunteers mid week and on our group Saturday / Sunday Workdays. Scroll down for further details about our Saturday groups.…
Weekday Volunteers - Urgently needed.
We are urgently looking for new weekday volunteers with a love of animals and a willingness to get stuck in and work to help us here at FRIEND.
Volunteers are essential for us to continue to provide the high levels of care our animal residents deserve.
Volunteers slots available :
Mornings slots available
10- 1.00 Wednesdays
10- 1.00 Thursdays
10- 1.00 Fridays
We are open to volunteers from all backgrounds and walks of life with or without experience of sanctuary work.
At present all volunteers must be over 18 years old.
What to expect:
There are a wide range of jobs but essentially we need help to keep our resident’s spaces clean and dry.
Typical jobs may include: Sweeping areas , strawing out animal beds, mucking out the cow barn, washing water bowls, feeding the birds , taking hay to the goat area, helping with routine animal care duties etc.
You really don’t need to have any special skills to volunteer with us… we appreciate people who are enthusiastic and who want to work. This is a great opportunity to gain experience of working with animals, meet other like minded people and make a real difference to the lives of our animals.
We do appreciate crafts people, who have skills in woodwork, building and construction. We also are looking for those magical green thumbed people who would like to work on our no-dig Growing Greener Project or those who are interested in fundraising and marketing.
There is something for everyone here…
If you think this might be the opportunity you’ve been looking for just get in touch and arrange to come for a Morning/Afternoon to meet us and have a trial session.
We do prefer that volunteers make a regular commitment to FRIEND we are however, open to discuss different options based on individual circumstances.
Contact us: charity@friendfarmanimalsanctuary.org to arrange to meet us for a chat and interview.
Saturday Volunteer Workdays
Next date : Saturday 20th April 2024
11am meet at the main gate wait for us to collect you.
If you are travelling by train, we can collect you from Paddock Wood station at 10.30. Please Email us beforehand to arrange a lift to FRIEND.
Charity@friendfarmanimalsanctuary.org
These are regular group volunteer days open to anyone who would like to come and help us out on designated Saturdays throughout the year.
These days are a great opportunity to just turn up and get stuck in with whatever project we are working on. At this time of year its usually cleaning, clearing spaces, painting and renovating areas, barrowing soil, cleaning animal houses and feeding the afternoon snacks…these group days are not suitable for those under 18.
What you need:
If you would like to attend just turn up at 11 am and wait by the gate to be met by staff.
Please wear suitable clothing eg work clothes, strong boots or wellies , work gloves and waterproofs.
Bring a vegan packed lunch. We do not allow non-vegan products onsite.
Email us if you have any questions charity@friendfarmanimalsanctuary.org
Special Volunteer Events
Watch this space for updates
Construct and Repair Team needed
We are looking to create a Construct and Repair Team here at FRIEND so are looking for handy folk who would like to learn or share skills in wooden construction animal housing (etc) , fencing, concreting landscaping etc
If that sounds like something you would enjoy please email us here at charity@friendfarmanimalsanctuary.org
We are a safe sanctuary space for animals and humans.
We therefore do not allow any non vegan products onsite although you don’t have to be a vegan to volunteer with us.
We operate a strict Anti oppression Policy for the safety and protection of all onsite, which we urge you to read before applying to work as a volunteer.
SITE ACCESSIBILITY
The site is flat, although it can be a little bumpy and muddy in the field. There is concrete and hard standing from the front gates up to the field, however the kitchen and toilets are in the field. The path up to the kitchen is grass but flat and compacted. There is an accessible gender-neutral compost toilet at ground level, with a wide door and two smaller compost toilets next to it.. Any other questions please ask, we want to make the sanctuary as accessible as possible to everyone. Send an email to charity@friendfarmanimalsanctuary.org with ‘Accessibility’ in the subject line.
DOGS
We are sorry but please don’t bring your dog friends along.
Getting Here
Our Address
Friend Farm Animal Sanctuary,
89 Bush Rd,
East Peckham,
Tonbridge,
TN12 5LJ
CAR
You can drive from London to the sanctuary using the M25 and A20.
PARKING
If you park outside the sanctuary, If there is no space, please ask a member of staff where you can park. If you come in a car for one of our open days we request that you remain mindful of our neighbours when you park. Please do not park outside the neighbour’s properties and make sure you don’t park in/or block anyone’s driveways. Also please park on the actual road rather than up on the grass verges. Thank you
TRAIN
If you’re coming by train we suggest you arrive at Paddock Wood rail station
Paddock Wood
There are regular trains from London on Southeastern Trains. Take the train from either Charing Cross or London Bridge (usually platform 7 from London Bridge) towards Ramsgate and get off at Paddock Wood. The journey on the train from London is approximately 45 minutes and is approximately £24 for an open return (£13 with a network travel-card).
It is then only a short bus journey from Paddock Wood , and will take approximately 20 minutes to reach F.R.I.E.N.D. The bus to catch is the number 6 and 6a from Whites Corner at the end of the street from Paddock Wood station. The stop to get off the bus is at the church on the corner of Pound Road and Church Lane. It is then a short walk to the sanctuary.
REMEMBER : We can come and collect you from Paddock Wood station at 10.20: if you Email us first to arrange.
BUS
There are bus links from Tunbridge Wells. The bus also passes through Paddock Wood, which is where the train station is. Buses do not run on Sundays. From Paddock Wood station its the number 6 Bus.