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

Maintenance Person (temporary)

Days/Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (32.5 hours)
Wages: £7.55 – £12.21 per hour (NMW)
Contract: Temporary (2-3 months)
Location:
 Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood, Essex
Start Date: ASAP

You will play an important part in helping us maintain and improve our facilities to ensure a safe, functional, and enriching environment for our rescued animals, staff, and visitors.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assisting with the construction and improvement of animal enclosures
  • Fencing installation, repairs, and maintenance
  • Creating, improving, and repairing pathways around the sanctuary
  • Carrying out general building, repair, and maintenance works
  • Working safely and responsibly around animals, staff, volunteers, and the public
  • Supporting wider site improvement projects as required


CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to office@hopefield.org.uk

Café Team Leader

Days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Hours: 9:00am – 3:30pm (4:30pm during school holidays, event days, and bank holidays)
Wages: £14.75 per hour
Contract: Full-time, seasonal
Location:
 Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood, Essex
Start Date: By Friday 20th March 2026

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, a long-standing charity providing a forever home to nearly 700 rescued animals, is looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Café Team Leader to join Max’s Café – our 100% plant-based café that plays a key role in supporting the sanctuary.

This is a seasonal role running until mid-December. Please note, the sanctuary usually closes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from December, so working hours may be reduced during this period.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Carrying out stock checks to support ordering and inventory management
  • Keeping the catering diary updated and organised
  • Serving customers and taking orders via our till system (cash and card payments)
  • Maintaining high standards of cleanliness throughout the café
  • Assisting with food preparation and service for sanctuary events (e.g., afternoon teas)
  • Supporting the team with general café duties and customer service


CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to office@hopefield.org.uk

Café Assistant/Barista

Days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Hours: 9:00am – 3:30pm (4:30pm during school holidays, event days, and bank holidays)
Wages: £8.00 – £12.71 per hour
Contract: Full-time, seasonal
Start Date: By Friday 20th March 2026

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, a long-standing charity providing a forever home to nearly 700 rescued animals, is looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Café Team Leader to join Max’s Café – our 100% plant-based café that plays a key role in supporting the sanctuary.

This is a seasonal role running until mid-December. Please note, the sanctuary usually closes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from December, so working hours may be reduced during this period.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Taking orders
  • Handling payments
  • Food & drink preparation including using a barista machine
  • Maintaining general cleanliness of Max’s Café


CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to office@hopefield.org.uk

Volunteering

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.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up here for the fun updates from the animals, information about the latest news at the sanctuary and exclusive offers and events.

Join our mailing list

Join Hopefield’s mailing list to be the first to know about all things happening at the sanctuary and exclusive offers and events!