Volunteers needed to join the Havens Penguin Patrol this summer

January 8, 2025

Havens Hospices is looking for volunteers to help with its public art trail, Waddle-on-Sea, which is set to make a splash in the city this summer.

The local charity is looking for positive and enthusiastic volunteers aged 16 or over to engage with trail-goers and look after over 30 uniquely designed penguin sculptures placed around the streets of Southend-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea.

The group of volunteers, known as the ‘Penguin Patrol’, will be helping trail-goers find their way around the trail and check on the sculptures to ensure they are clean and well-maintained. It involves walking, so a good level of fitness is needed, as well as being an enthusiastic communicator who is confident talking to and engaging with people.

The trail runs for approximately eight weeks, from July to September, and the charity is looking for volunteers to give a minimum of four hours of their time per week between the hours of 10am and 2pm or 2pm and 6pm on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday during the trail.

At the end of the trail, the penguins will be sold at auction to raise thousands of pounds for the free, specialist hospice care Havens Hospices provides for local babies, young people, adults, and their families. It follows the success of the charity’s previous art trails, Hares About Town and Herd In The City, which raised more than £1 million for local hospice care.

Kim Hamber, Volunteer Experience Manager for Havens Hospices, says, “Volunteering for Waddle-on-Sea gives you the unique opportunity to be a key part of a high-profile event raising awareness and much-needed funds for Havens Hospices, as well as giving something back to your local community.

“It’s an ideal way to share your skills or learn new ones and is a great addition to your CV for education or employment applications.”

Full training and support will be provided throughout the trail. As a thank you for supporting the trail, volunteers for the Penguin Patrol will receive a limited-edition t-shirt and bag, along with a free ticket to the Farewell event for free in September.

The Havens Hospices Volunteer Experience Team will be holding drop-in sessions at Fair Havens in Prittlewell on Tuesday 21st January, 10-12pm and Thursday 6th February, 4-6pm, for those who would like to sign up in person.

To learn more or apply online to be part of the ‘Penguin Patrol’, visit https://havenshospices.goassemble.com/opportunities/79023-penguin-patrol-waddle-on-sea-2025-01-06 or www.havenshospices.org.uk/occasionalvolunteering