Carbon Garden Volunteer Explainer
Carbon Garden Volunteer Explainer
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.
The Learning and Participation department contributes to this mission by seeking to inspire people to protect the natural world, train the next generation of experts, and extend Kew’s reach, ensuring that our Gardens and wider work are accessible for everyone. The department values the support of volunteers within the learning programmes, including 30 Volunteer Explainers based across the Gardens.
Due to open in July, Kew’s new Carbon Garden will explore the ways in which plants provide valuable carbon-related services, with a particular emphasis on how plants and fungi can provide nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change.
As a Carbon Garden Volunteer Explainer, you will help to interpret the Carbon Garden to visitors, making key science concepts accessible and engaging to different audiences.
To prepare you for the role, we will provide you with specialist training in public engagement and training on the scientific and horticultural significance of the Carbon Garden.
Please note that you will need to be available for the following dates:
- Recruitment day: Saturday 24th May
- Induction day: Friday 6th June
- Training sessions: Saturday 7th, 14th and 21st June
More details
Overall purpose of the role
- To help interpret the Carbon Garden to visitors and explain key science concepts in accessible and engaging ways.
- To help educate visitors about Kew’s work to protect plants and fungi within the context of climate change.
- To engage with visitors in a positive and professional manner, responding to their needs and acting as way finders.
- To communicate Kew’s mission and values to visitors of all ages.
Main tasks
- To welcome and orientate visitors to the Carbon Garden.
- To provide a high-quality visitor experience for varied audiences.
- To use handling objects and storytelling to engage visitors with carbon science topics.
- To invite conversation around the ways in which plants and fungi provide valuable carbon-related services.
- To help challenge misconceptions and redirect climate anxiety by engaging visitors in Kew’s work and facilitating discussion around solutions.
- To educate visitors about what they can do, sharing ideas for how they can protect nature at home.
This role will suit volunteers with some of the following interests, skills and experiences:
- Knowledge about plants and fungi and their role in tackling climate change.
- Interest in the environment and sustainability.
- Enthusiasm for engaging people of all ages with Kew’s work.
- Passion for learning and science, with an ability to make complex ideas accessible.
- Competence with technology, particularly with the use of iPads.
- A confident individual with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
- Good communication and team working skills.
- Experience in a public-facing role and good customer service skills.
- Happy to work outdoors in all weathers.
What to expect from us:
- To be allocated clear roles and responsibilities.
- To be treated fairly and with respect.
- A friendly and dedicated team.
- An opportunity to learn about the amazing collections at Kew.
- Kew volunteer uniform.
- Travel expenses incurred up to a set value.
- A full induction and training programme in public engagement with on-going support.
What we expect from you:
- To attend required training sessions and meetings.
- A willingness to learn about the work of Kew.
- To be available at weekends and during school holidays.
- Able to commit to a minimum of 2 sessions a month.
- A commitment to the hours and days you are allocated on an agreed rota.
- To wear the Kew volunteer uniform.
- To be reliable and punctual.
- To follow Kew values, policies and procedures.
Recruitment procedure:
If you would like to be considered for this new volunteer role please complete the electronic application form.
Kew is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
An Enhanced DBS check will be required for this role and successful volunteers will be asked to undertake this check.
Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 11th May
For further information:
We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Kew aims to be an inclusive space for all.
An alternative application option (video submission) is available if preferred. Please email volexplainers@kew.org for more information on how to submit an application in this alternative format.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility requirements or about anything else, please email volexplainers@kew.org with your questions or to arrange a phone call.