Volunteer – Northcote Heavy Horse Centre

Become a Volunteer

Help care for horses and animals at our friendly, volunteer-run sanctuary in Lincolnshire.

Volunteers are our heart

Our sanctuary simply wouldn’t exist without our volunteers. Set in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre is a charitable animal sanctuary dedicated to the care and welfare of heavy horses and a wide range of other animals.

Volunteering with us is a truly rewarding, hands-on experience. From grooming and feeding horses to stable care, yard work, and practical projects, our volunteers play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the sanctuary. You’ll be supported by experienced team members and welcomed into a friendly, relaxed environment where learning and teamwork come naturally.

Whether you’re completely new to animal care or already have experience, we welcome people of all backgrounds who share a genuine passion for animal welfare. Volunteering here is not just about helping animals — it’s about building confidence, learning new skills, forming lasting friendships, and becoming part of the Northcote family.

Ready to get involved? We’d love to hear from you.

School and Work Placements

We are proud to support local schools, colleges, and universities by offering meaningful work placement opportunities at the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre. We regularly welcome students from institutions including Lincoln College, Boston College, Riseholme College, and the Grimsby Institute as part of their animal management and related courses.

Our placements provide a hands-on learning environment where students can gain practical experience in animal care, welfare, and day-to-day sanctuary operations. Working alongside our experienced team, students develop valuable skills while building confidence and real-world knowledge.

If you are a student interested in a placement, or a school or college looking to arrange work experience, please get in touch with us directly or speak to your course tutor or placement coordinator.

We are a fully insured, supportive, and practical setting — an ideal place to learn animal management skills in a real sanctuary environment.

Joining Us

Joining our volunteer team is simple, and no previous experience is required. We provide full guidance and training, so you’ll learn everything you need to know in a safe, supportive environment.

Many of our volunteers start with little or no animal care experience and go on to build confidence, develop valuable skills, and in some cases pursue careers in animal management and related fields. Whether you’re looking to learn, gain experience, or simply give something back, volunteering with us can be a genuinely rewarding step.

Be Part of Something Special

Many of our volunteers start with little or no animal experience — and that’s absolutely fine. We love teaching, supporting, and helping people discover new skills at their own pace, whether for personal growth or future career paths.

Volunteering with us is not only rewarding, but also great for your wellbeing. Spending time outdoors, working with animals, enjoying gentle exercise, and giving something back can have a positive impact on both body and mind.

You’ll learn a wide range of practical skills, from grooming, feeding, and caring for animals to getting involved in hands-on projects such as maintenance and DIY tasks. Everything is done at a steady, supportive pace — we’ll never rush you or make you feel out of place.

Just as importantly, you’ll become part of a friendly, fun, and like-minded team. Laughter is never in short supply here, and many lasting friendships and memories have been made over the years. By joining us, you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of our animals while gaining confidence, experience, and a true sense of belonging.

Meet some of the team!

Every one of our volunteers started somewhere — and every journey here is different. Many joined us with little or no previous animal experience, and some have now been part of our sanctuary family for decades.

Our team is made up of people from all walks of life, united by a shared love of animals and a willingness to help. What connects everyone is the supportive, friendly atmosphere that makes volunteering here so special.