Volunteering

Details

Closing Date: 09/03/2026

Location:

Rathlin Island, Ballycastle BT54 6TE

Salary:
This position is entirely voluntary and is therefore unpaid

This is a unique chance to be part of one of the most ambitious projects to save seabirds whilst staying on the beautiful Rathlin island.

This is a unique chance to be part of one of the most ambitious projects to save seabirds across the UK. Rathlin Island has the largest seabird breeding colony in Northern Ireland, including Puffins, Razorbills, and the largest population of Guillemots across the whole of the UK and Ireland. The LIFE Raft project aims to protect these seabirds by eradicating rats and ferrets that threaten the seabirds, and this volunteering opportunity is critical to making this project a success.

What you will be doing: Volunteers will be working as part of a wider team to check ~ 6000 bait stations that were put in place last year.

Volunteers will be expected to work 5-day weeks – baiting starts mid September right through until March 2026, minimum stay 6 weeks. Training starts mid September.

What’s In It For You: As an RSPB volunteer you’ll be part of something big – a team of amazing and dedicated people who donate their time, energy, talent and skills to help birds and other wildlife.

Rathlin is a beautiful island with a close-knit community of about 150 people. There is a hotel, a cooperatively run store, shops with local products, a pub and café, and regular yoga and film nights and other community events.

There is also lots for the wildlife enthusiast. While the seabirds are a strong draw in the spring and the summer, there are oyster catchers, eider ducks and seals all year round, and dolphins are regularly seen from the ferries and harbours.

Rathlin’s dark skies also allow for stunning views of the stars. 2024 proved to be a particularly good year for the northern lights, it’s a great time to be spending time on island.

Accommodation/ meals are provided. You will be sharing a room with members of the same gender, or if you apply as a couple you can share one of the smaller rooms.

What skills/experience do you need: Minimum age 18. Enthusiasm and ability to work both on your own initiative and as part of a team are necessities – but perhaps most importantly, you must be good with people and physically fit and active. It also requires lots of working with your hands in the cold, and wearing gloves is not always possible due to the nature of the work.

It is physically tough but incredibly rewarding.