If you’re energetic, enthusiastic, good humoured and up for giving it your all, we have tons of opportunities to get involved!
We need a range of skills to help keep the Seagulls flying, from drivers and mechanics to social media wizards, entertainers, crafters, PR gurus, photographers and administrators.
Read on below for more info about joining our teams on projects, or drop us a line to chat about how you can put other skills to use and make a real difference.
We love to welcome new volunteers and performers to the team, but have learnt that the project is a very demanding one. The skills needed are not an exact science.
Our activities are created to enthuse, enlighten and encourage, and as such have communication at their heart. You’ve got to have a load of energy and patience! The sessions are sensory based, not heavily reliant on language, and focus on creative conversation and exchange.
Not everyone will find it’s the right fit for them, or that they’re the right fit for us. The problem is finding this out half way around the world mid project is not ideal. To make sure we get the right faces in the right places we have developed a mandatory one-week intensive training for all potential team.
The week aims to immerse the participants in the pace and techniques of the project as well as our safeguarding and working practices. It includes:
Following the training and on completion of an advanced DBS check, we invite successful Seagulls to join us for an initial two-week period, followed by feedback and evaluation, then – with luck – a long and wonderful home in the Seagull family.
There is the general commitment that everyone gets stuck into everything, and we all work together to make it the fullest experience possible. This means we all do the fun bits, but we also have to lend a hand with the washing up and milking the cow from time to time! We always have at least one long term member on the team, so though you will be challenged in new ways and will at times work independently, you’ll never be without the support you need.
“I had the most bonkers and extraordinary time with the Seagulls! The kids were tons of fun, the work was truly magical, at times challenging and thoroughly rewarding. I have made some truly wonderful friendships with members of the team and wish to work every one of them again! My experience was everything that I had hoped for and more.”
Lizzy Charles
“The simplicity and yet exhilaration of life on a Seagull tour is an experience I’ve come to rely on as a vital part of my year. These days I can’t smell a wood fire without being transported immediately back to rural Romania and I find myself counting the days until the next time I can put on my top hat and start being silly again.”
Jack Kelly
“The Flying Seagull Project is perhaps one of the few projects that exists that practices what it preaches. It has been soul food for me. The work that it does abroad is top notch. The cultural hub that its work has induced in its quest to find funding and resources is great. It has introduced me to many creative, top quality people who will be friends for life.”
Dan Ashman
In short, NO. We offer full training for all new Seagulls, and we are constantly learning and sharing skills. Interest, enthusiasm in creative activities and a good imagination are essential, but skills you can learn!
Yes. All of our team, including volunteers, must have completed a full training week, including safeguarding instructions, and have a valid DBS to an appropriate level prior to taking part in any Seagull activity.
Yes! As well as our international projects across Europe and in the Middle East, we have a regular programme of national projects running throughout the year in the UK. We also have national projects in the Netherlands and Norway.
To ask about an upcoming training programme or register your interest for future announcements, drop us a line on volunteer@theflyingseagullproject.com or send a message through the form below.
To ask about an upcoming training programme or register your interest for future announcements, drop us a line on volunteer@theflyingseagullproject.com or send a message through the form below.
