Our volunteer programme is central to our work at CAT, and gives a diverse range of people first hand experience of sustainability. CAT was begun by volunteers over 25 years ago. Now, each year, up to 15 Long Term Volunteers get to experience CAT from the inside during their six month stay, a unique experience that we hope will be an inspiration for the rest of their lives and careers.

As volunteers are invaluable to us, we, in turn, try to make their time here as useful as possible to them. They get in-house training with our experts and have the opportunity to attend two CAT courses for free.

Presently the following departments support volunteers:
Biology (waste and water systems)
Engineering (renewable energy, heating systems, energy efficiency)
Gardens (organics, sustainable land management)
Site maintenance (building, displays, upkeep of Visitor Centre)
Media (press contact, profile raising, publicising projects and new developments, Membership magazine)
Publications (CAT books, factsheets and tipsheets, Membership magazine)
Information (dealing with enquiries from the general public, researching resource lists etc)

Many ex-volunteers go on to use their experience gained here, working in sustainable development and the environmental field, spurred on to pass on their knowledge and take their skills into further useful work at home and abroad. One volunteer, for example, worked closely with Jonathan Porritt in Forum for a Future, pushing green issues to the forefront of the business world. Another has gone on to teach science and develop educational resources for another charity.

The level of support for the volunteer scheme is generally £1000 for each placement, although we do, of course, welcome a gift of any kind. This covers all CAT’s expenses, during the volunteers’ six-month stay.

It is our normal practice to give some feedback to supporters of this scheme. At the end of a volunteer’s six-month stay we ask them to write a short report on their time at CAT and how the experience has affected them and will help them move forward in their chosen career. Volunteers are so valuable at CAT and it is a lovely way for supporters of the Sponsor a Volunteer scheme to appreciate how their donation has had a positive impact. You may select a department yourself, if you have a particular area of interest, otherwise CAT would select a department on your behalf.


Yes! I'd like to make a donation to the Sponsor a Volunteer Scheme.

Contact fundraising@cat.org.uk to find out more about the scheme.

Thoughts of previous volunteers:

‘I had a fantastic winter living on site as a volunteer in the CAT information dept. It was a brilliant working and learning environment where I was surrounded by real experts in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, waste management and organic gardening. My working experience at CAT definitely played a huge role in my successful application for work in the sustainability field. I am now continuing with energy efficiency advice working at the Centre for Sustainability in Bristol where I am using and building on the information I learnt at CAT every day!’ Louise Rutterford Summer 05-06 Information Volunteer

‘Living in the community was a really good experience. I especially liked the bulk food orders for reducing packaging. I also thought that the accommodation was really good and the chance to live with a wood burner was really eye opening. There is constant debate about how various aspects of the community should run, and this is all part of keeping the community constantly improving. The experience of coming to CAT was made better by getting to live with a really great group of people that really strive to live sustainably.’ Richard Bridle Winter 05-06 Engineering Volunteer

‘Volunteering at CAT has taught me a lot of things. It has been an excellent opportunity to learn about environmental issues. It has also given me invaluable experience of working in the Media department of a charity. Above all, it has been a very enjoyable part of my life, and it's not over yet - I am now working in the Media department at CAT, composing press releases and running an environmental image bank.’ Arthur Girling Winter 05-06 Media Volunteer

‘CAT has helped me develop a broader understanding of practical sustainability…I have been personally inspired to put into practice in my own life what were previously often only good intentions…All in all, working at CAT has been an invaluable experience. Having the opportunity to live and work with the solutions to environmental problems has been a huge inspiration, one that I hope to carry with me for years to come.’ Rose Cairns Winter 02-03 Information Volunteer

‘I came to CAT to make a contribution to an organisation I believed was working to make real and important changes in modern lifestyles. During my six month at CAT I absorbed a phenomenal amount of information. It has given me so much to think about and work with?The opportunity [to work in rural development in South America] was only made possible through my time at CAT and all I learnt there and the people I met. I am so thankful for my time there.’ Freddie Whitefield 01-02 Media Volunteer