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Become a “Watchkeeper”! Volunteers are guided through a training process, with instruction in radio procedures, navigation, map reading, first aid and a whole lot more besides. This is an interesting and worthwhile volunteering opportunity.
You will work with our skilled and highly trained volunteers, through a very specialised training course with the result that you can become a Watchkeeper yourself with skills which are adaptable and flexible and could be used in full-time paid employment. A Training Pack will be organised for you which will identify the skills you learn and those which you still need to acquire. Not only will you learn how to approach new challenges in a competent and confident manner which are always useful when looking for paid employment, but other less obvious skills are always being learned through interaction with the public by using your first aid skills, patrolling the harbour or beach area, helping to organise events, or simply selling teas and coffees in our wee shop
We hold various public events throughout the year, including our hugely successful annual Polar Plunge in January, and it is hoped that all our volunteers participate in the organising before and during these events.
We work closely with HM Coastguard, the Police, the RNLI and are members of the Sea Safety Group. Beach and Harbour patrols are carried out regularly keeping watch on public safety and the general welfare of the environment. Wearing a Coastwatch uniform is not required until you are certain you wish to become a volunteer with us. All we ask of our volunteers is that you undertake to spend a minimum of 10 hours per month carrying out Coastwatch duties. An initial interview with our Station Manager would take place at the Beach Pavilion before a volunteering opportunity is offered.
Travel details
Irvine Railway Station is about a mile from the Beach Pavilion, otherwise a bus will take you most of the way. There are plenty of car parking spaces available.
Travel expenses
No travelling expenses are paid to volunteers while travelling to and from the Coastwatch office. All other expenses (if any) are covered by Coastwatch.
Support
Training details
Our new volunteers’ initial training course covers first aid, radio procedures, navigation and map reading. These can be converted into recognised qualifications by the RYA and SQA. Training is mostly in-house and our volunteers should attend weekly training sessions which are held on a Wednesday evening and occasionally at the weekends either inside the Coastwatch Pavilion or, if the weather is good, outside on the beach or in the Beach Park. We also have opportunities to train for DofE awards.
Restrictions
Minimum age: 16
Volunteers (aged 16-25) taking part in this opportunity are eligible to claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity.
Find out more
Please fill out this form to register your interest in the opportunity Watchkeeper Volunteer with Coastwatch Scotland Irvine (CWS)SCIO
Your email address and phone number will only be used by the organisation/TSI you are contacting to discuss in more detail the opportunity you are enquiring about.
Your message will be sent to the organisation that supports volunteering in North Ayrshire:
Contact name: Ann Wilson
Email address: ann@tact.scot
Phone: 01294 443044
Thank you for registering your interest in Watchkeeper Volunteer with Coastwatch Scotland Irvine (CWS)SCIO.
Coastwatch Scotland Irvine (CWS)SCIO has been sent your details and message, they will respond to you at the email address you provided.
Something has gone wrong, please let us know about this issue at milosupport@scvo.scot quoting reference #VO81848.