Saving Animals Together since 1983

Saving Animals Together since 1983

Job Vacancies

Are you passionate about the welfare of animals? Are you interested in pursuing a career with animals and are looking to gain experience? Then a position at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary may be right for you! Any job or volunteer opportunities that become available will be uploaded to this page so please keep checking back for the latest positions.
FUN FACT
Hopefield is home to over 100 species of animals, and over 500 animals in total!

JOB VACANCIES

Casual Event Staff

Are you at school/college, or maybe home from uni, and are looking to earn a bit of extra money at weekends or during the holidays? Then this could be the PERFECT position for you!

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary has been running for over 40 years and offers a home for life to neglected and unwanted animals. We currently have over 700 in our care. For the last 10 years’ we have opened more to the public to generate much-needed funds for the animals.

We’re putting together a team of friendly, outgoing people to assist on event days and during the school holidays when we have lots of activities taking place!

Some of the roles we’re looking to fill include (but aren’t limited to):

  • Supervising children participating in sand art/ceramics painting etc.
  • Car park attendants
  • Managing stalls e.g. funfair games
  • Soft play bus supervision
  • Inflatables supervision


You must provide a high level of customer service with a friendly, can-do attitude at all times. This is a minimum wage position ranging from £8.00 – £12.71 per hour, dependent on age.

To apply, please email office@hopefield.org.uk with your CV and a cover letter.

Volunteering

Shop Volunteer

Location: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood, Essex
Commitment: Mondays, 9.30am – 3pm (4pm during school holidays/events)
Age Requirement: 18+
Start Date: 31st March 2026

We’re looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to support our team in the sanctuary gift shop.

The gift shop is often the first point of contact for visitors arriving at Hopefield, so your role will be key in creating a warm and welcoming experience. You’ll help greet visitors, check them in for their visit, assist with purchases and help keep the shop organised and well presented.

Volunteering in the gift shop is a fantastic way to support the work of the sanctuary while meeting new people and being part of a positive, animal-loving community.

Key responsibilities

  • Welcome visitors to the sanctuary and scan tickets from their phones
  • Take payments for visitors who haven’t pre-booked tickets (including collecting Gift Aid details where applicable)
  • Process payments for gift shop purchases
  • Help keep the gift shop clean, tidy and well stocked
  • Re-stock shelves and price up items
  • Help ensure visitors have a friendly and enjoyable experience


About you

  • Friendly, approachable and confident speaking to visitors
  • Reliable and able to commit to regular volunteer shifts
  • Comfortable handling payments and interacting with the public
  • Enjoy working in a busy visitor environment
  • A love of animals and support for the sanctuary’s work


What you’ll get from volunteering

  • The opportunity to be part of a much-loved animal sanctuary
  • Meet like-minded people and join our amazing volunteer community
  • Gain experience in customer service and retail
  • Volunteer discount in our gift shop and café
  • Free on-site parking

Your support helps us continue caring for hundreds of rescued animals, and we truly couldn’t do it without our volunteers.

Please email office@hopefield.org.uk to register your interest! 

Events Volunteers

Location: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood, Essex
Commitment: Flexible – no fixed hours
Age Requirement: 18+

Do you love getting involved, meeting new people and being part of something meaningful? Our Events Volunteers play a vital role in helping us raise essential funds to care for our 700 rescued animals – and no two events are ever the same!

As an Events Volunteer, you’ll be part of a friendly, passionate team supporting our busy calendar of family fun days, seasonal events, quizzes, doggy fun days and more. There’s a huge variety of ways to get involved, making this a brilliant role for those who work or can only spare occasional time.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ROLE DESCRIPTION

Click the button below to register your interest!

Animal Care Volunteer (join our waiting list)

Volunteering at our sanctuary is a truly special opportunity to make a hands-on difference to the lives of hundreds of rescued animals who now call this place home. From cheeky pigs and gentle cows to curious exotics, much-loved small animals like cats and rabbits, and our wonderful equine residents, no two days are ever the same. Every role plays an important part in keeping our animals happy, healthy and safe.

As an Animal Care Volunteer, you’ll work alongside our dedicated team, supporting the day-to-day care of our residents. Your role will include preparing food and fresh bedding, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, helping with enrichment, and ensuring each animal’s environment is clean, comfortable and stimulating. There’s also plenty of opportunity to observe animal behaviour, learn about welfare and care, and enjoy those special moments that come from spending time with animals who have been given a second chance at life.

Volunteers can choose to work a half day (8am – 1.30pm) or a full day (8am – 4pm), depending on availability, and roles are available across our different sections:

  • Farm Section
  • Exotics Section
  • Pet Section
  • Equine Section


In return for your time and commitment, you’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience in animal care, develop new skills, build confidence, and become part of a friendly, passionate team who all share the same goal – giving rescued animals the very best life possible. Volunteering here is hard work and often outdoors in all weathers, but it is incredibly rewarding and makes a genuine, lasting impact every single day.

This role may not be the right fit if you’re looking for occasional or short-term volunteering, prefer indoor or desk-based roles, or aren’t comfortable working outside and getting cold, muddy or mucky at times. Our animals rely on consistent routines and familiar faces, so volunteers are asked to commit to the same day each week. While the work can be physical and sometimes tough, those who can commit find it hugely fulfilling.

If you’re compassionate, reliable, not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, and would love to be part of something truly meaningful, we’d love to welcome you to our sanctuary family.

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