Opportunities *See right menu for current volunteer vacancies!*

Volunteers are extremely important to our work here at The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), our achievements over the last 30 years simply wouldn't have happened without the hard work, inspiration and dedication of the initial idealists who founded the centre in 1975.

Here is a photo gallery that will take you on a journey, showing you how much CAT has relied on the sweated brows and willing hands of all our volunteers over the years.

See our photo collections on CAT's flickr pages for more pictures and an insight into the kinds of work volunteers are involved with at CAT.

Also read interviews with recent volunteers to learn about their experiences while working at CAT.

Ex-volunteers frequently find work locally or elsewhere. It is excellent experience to commence or refresh a career in sustainable technology and practices.

The Centre generally has opportunities for:

• Short Term Volunteer Placements  -usually 1 or 2 weeks, residential, various tasks, 'working holiday' - (currently on hold as of April 2012)
• Long Term Volunteer Placements - usually 6 months, full time, working with a specific department (currently on hold as of April 2012)
• European Voluntary Service (EVS) - CAT has taken EVS volunteers at times. We are currently not taking EVS volunteers but we will update our situation regarding this when it changes. (Note added 10.3.11)

Supporting the volunteers service

Volunteers were responsible for starting CAT over 35 years ago. Today they still form an invaluable part of the CAT family.

Supporting our volunteers means that you help us do more work while keeping our costs down, but you also support the training and development of young people keen to help all of us move to a zero carbon future.

It allowed me the chance to acquire hands on experience, a real sense of achievement and enabled me to pick up invaluable skills from a trained professional. It was hugely satisfying seeing a project from beginning to end.” Dan Halahan, Engineering Volunteer 2010

Previous volunteers have gone on to work at Forum for the Future, Greenpeace, CAT, Dulus Engineering, further study, to manage Anaerobic Digestion plants at Marmite, run eco-teams for Global Action Plan and work in marine conservation and gardening projects.

“Working hard, for free, is a serious contribution to the centre, each influx of committed eager and enthusiastic people brings a renewed sense of purpose to the centre.” Alana Hughes Gardening Volunteer 2007

£1000 covers all volunteers costs, including travel expenses, a free hot lunch every day, safety equipment, tools and a place on two CAT short courses.

• Yes! I'd like to make a donation to CAT and help volunteers

• Yes! I’d like to sponsor a whole placement and receive reports from my volunteer. Contact Chris Moreton  to find out more about the scheme.

Thoughts of previous volunteers:

‘ I had a fantastic winter living on site as a volunteer in the CAT information dept. It was a brilliant working and learning environment where I was surrounded by real experts in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, waste management and organic gardening. I am now continuing with energy efficiency advice working at the Centre for Sustainability in Bristol where I am using and building on the information I learnt at CAT every day!’ Louise Rutterford Summer 05-06 Information Volunteer

‘ Living in the community was a really good experience. I especially liked the bulk food orders for reducing packaging. I also thought that the accommodation was really good and the chance to live with a wood burner was really eye opening. Constant debate kept the community constantly improving. The experience of coming to CAT was made better by getting to live with a really great group of people that really strive to live sustainably.’ Richard Bridle Winter 05-06 Engineering Volunteer

‘ It has been an excellent opportunity to learn about environmental issues, giving me invaluable experience of working in the Media department of a charity. Above all, it has been a very enjoyable part of my life.’Arthur Girling Winter 05-06 Media Volunteer

CAT appreciates the generous funding through the Millennium Volunteers programme to support young people (16-25 year olds) in their volunteer work at CAT.