Volunteer Opportunities

BFER Events and Activities Helper

BFER are looking for Volunteers to help support at a range of different events and activities across the Brecks.

BFER delivers a wide variety of events and activities, from guided walks, to creative workshops, community runs, to family craft, heritage and wildlife talks, training sessions, information stalls, and much more.

Join BFER and assist at activities and events near you. Learn new skills, meet new people and industry professionals, boost confidence, and have fun!

Location, dates/times: Various (dependent on the event). This is a flexible volunteering opportunity (no fixed days). Volunteers will receive updates about upcoming events, and choose which they would like to assist at.
Required skills and abilities: No required skills but volunteers should enjoy engaging with the public.
Types of tasks may include: Assisting to set up and deliver activities, preparing resources, greeting and talking to the public, assisting to collect evaluation feedback, photography, advocating the BFER scheme.
Contact Details: bfer.admin@suffolk.gov.uk

BFER Blogging Volunteer

BFER is seeking Volunteers to write blog posts for the BFER website and newsletter, to help celebrate the fascinating heritage and habitats of the Norfolk and Suffolk Brecks.

The BFER blog is a space for advocating the Brecks and all it has to offer; whether its exploring what makes the natural landscapes of the Brecks so special, to uncovering the history of the area, sharing the joys of outdoor recreational activities enjoyed in the area, to exploring how the tranquil landscapes can positively benefit a sense of wellbeing.

We are seeking volunteers to write blog posts to be featured on the blog. Volunteers have the flexibility to choose topics based on their own interests and experiences. No prior formal writing experience is needed, and volunteers are encouraged to write in their own style.

Location: Remote

Required skills and abilities: No prior experience required. Introductory training will be provided.

Dates/times: Flexible. Volunteers will be asked to produce at least one blog post.

Contact details: bfer.admin@suffolk.gov.uk

BFER Social Media Volunteer

BFER is seeking Volunteers to assist to create content for our social media platforms.

At BFER, we use Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to showcase updates from the project, promote events and activities, and connect with local communities and organisation.

We are looking for volunteers to create draft social media posts, which will then shared by the BFER team onto the BFER online platforms. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to gain experience in marketing, boost your confidence with using social media platforms, or have a flexible volunteering role that can be done from the comfort of your home.

Location: Remote

Required skills and abilities: No prior experience is required, but familiarity with using social media is preferable. Introductory training will be provided.

Dates/times: Flexible

Contact details: bfer.admin@suffolk.gov.uk

Thetford Conservation Group

Thetford Conservation Group is a friendly volunteer group working to take care of the natural environment, in the riverside town of Thetford.

Volunteers work together to conserve and maintain outdoor spaces through activities such as planting, woodland management, wildlife surveying, and restoration work.

The group work across a range of diverse sites, including Barnhamcross Common (a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its beautiful Breckland flora), the scheduled ancient monument of Castle Mound, and Fredericks wood.

Join the group to learn new skills, meet new people, and spend time outdoors while making a positive contribution to your local environment.

Can anyone join? Anyone over 18 can join in (16-17 year olds may join with parental permission or an accompanying adult).
You don’t have to attend every week, come when you can.
All tools provided
No prior experience necessary, all training will be provided.
For more information, contact: mail@thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Run Breckland Volunteer Marshals

Run Breckland are seeking Volunteer Marshals to assist at their events.

Run Breckland is a charitable organisation based in the Brecks, that organises community running events. Run Breckland’s events are open to all ages and levels of ability, and encourage healthy outdoor recreation in the beautiful landscapes of the Brecks. Their events (which range from 5k to 10k routes) are open to walkers as well as runners, and always have a cheerful, friendly, and relaxed atmosphere.

Volunteer Marshals are key to helping create this welcoming feeling. Marshals roles include assisting to set up events, welcome and cheer on participants, way mark routes, manage refreshment stations, alert participants to any hazards, hand out medals, and time keeping.

Location: Various (dependent on the event). Recent events have included locations such as Thetford, Mildenhall, Euston, and Honington.
Required skills and abilities: Marshals are asked to be welcoming, enthusiastic and helpful. Run Breckland will provide you with any equipment you will need, including signage and hi-vis vests. In addition, hot and cold drinks are provided free of charge and there is often also cake or other tasty baked products!
Dates/times: Various (dates of events will be circulated to all Event Volunteers).
Contact Details: runbreckland@btinternet.com
Further Information: Run Breckland Marshals

Thetford Craft Group

Thetford Craft Group are a volunteer group that meet weekly on a Wednesday morning for a social crafting session. The group are hosted by Thetford Town Council, and meet in the Guildhall (Thetford) on Wednesdays between 11am-12pm.

Using knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, felting, and other mediums, the group combine their shared skills and knowledge to create textile artworks. The group are currently working on a series of textile panels for the BFER project, celebrating the rivers of Thetford.

To find out more about how to get involved, contact: mail@thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Grimes Graves Handling Collection Volunteer

Grimes Graves is seeking Volunteers to assist them to showcase their brand new Handling Collection of recreated Neolithic Artefacts at community events.

Grime’s Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain. This grassy lunar landscape of over 400 pits is of national significance, not just for its rare archaeology, but because it is set amid the distinctive Breckland Heath landscape, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a habitat for rare plants and fauna.

As part of their ongoing work in community engagement they have created a brand-new Handling Collection of recreated artefacts to help tell the story of Grimes Graves and the lives of Neolithic and Bronze Age peoples that lived and worked there.

Grimes Graves are looking to recruit a small team of enthusiastic Handling Collection Volunteers to help them to share more of Grime’s Graves’ story with the local community through these objects. Volunteers will assist English Heritage at community events such as the Grimes Graves Children’s Storytelling Club, at local village fairs, volunteer networking events, or festivals. Volunteers will assist with the delivery of fun and engaging activities and short talks to help interact with the public.

Location: You will need to be able to attend off-site events across the Local area, roughly within 1 hour driving of Grime’s Graves, Lynford, Thetford, IP26 5DE

Required skills and abilities: Volunteers are asked to be friendly, welcoming and provide good customer service. Role specific training will be provided.

Dates/times: Various

Find out more information, and apply to get involved here: Grimes Graves Handling Collection Volunteer

Further Opportunities

To find out more about further volunteering opportunities in the Brecks, visit:

Volunteer Opportunities in Norfolk: Voluntary Norfolk

Volunteer Opportunities in Suffolk: Community Action Suffolk