At Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Our vibrant community of ocean enthusiasts plays a crucial role in conserving and enhancing both the environment and heritage of this stunning coastal area. By getting involved, our volunteers help ensure that Plymouth Sound remains a thriving hub for marine life while also fostering a deeper connection between people and the sea. Whether it’s diving into habitat restoration, assisting with educational programs, or supporting the organization of local events, each volunteer brings something unique and invaluable to the table.
We’re always on the lookout for more ocean lovers who want to make a real difference in their local community. If you’re passionate about marine conservation, eager to learn new skills, or simply want to give back to a cause you care about, we invite you to join our growing team of volunteers. There’s a place for everyone here, no matter your background, age, or level of experience.
Volunteering with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park isn’t just about making an impact on the environment—it’s also about personal growth, learning, and building lasting connections with like-minded individuals. Whether you’re a student, a retiree, or someone looking for a fulfilling way to contribute to the community, we’ll provide all the training and support you need to get started.
Our volunteers are the driving force behind everything we do, and together, we’re making a lasting impact on the future of our oceans. So, if you’re ready to help protect one of the UK’s most beautiful and ecologically important marine environments, we’d love to have you join our team.
Our volunteers are at the heart of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, and their stories are truly inspiring. Hear from some of our current volunteers and their experience working with us so far.
A little bit from Tim
‘From the moment that I first heard about the National Marine Park I was excited to find out more about it, and to understand how I could get involved. I have always had a spiritual connection with the sea, acquired over more than ten years as a merchant navy officer roaming the oceans, and I felt a very strong need to be near the sea when I retired.
The reason that I wanted to get involved was to try and share my passion for all things ‘sea’ with other people, however, I soon learned that other people had so much that they wanted to share with me, and that started some beautiful conversations. I love the public engagement sessions, like Seafest. We meet such a broad range of people, from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds, and our rangers have diverse experiences and interests too. It is never boring!
I can’t say that I have definitely had a positive impact on any of the people who I have met, I hope that I have. However, I can definitely say that the people who I have met have had a massive positive impact on me, I continue to learn so much, and I am energised by the love which so many express for their dose of ‘Vitamin Sea’.’
Meet another one of our volunteers, Lilah
‘Hi, I’m Lilah and I started volunteering with PSNMP because as a university student here in Plymouth I wanted to gain some external experience and get to know the city a bit more and the range of volunteering opportunities with the National Marine Park really interested me.
All the different activities we get to be a part of and also all the people, other volunteers, or members of the public we get to meet are definitely the most rewarding parts for me! This volunteering has taught me so much about Plymouth and what it means to be the UK’s first National Marine Park. It’s so exciting to be involved with something that’s still growing and providing opportunities to loads of different people which is something you can really feel no matter what you find yourself doing.’
Here’s Lloyd and his insight into being a volunteer with us
‘I have been involved with a number of volunteering roles with Plymouth City Council in past. Having fully retired I was looking to get more involved and was excited about the whole Marine Park idea. I’ve met a wide range of different people and I get to do some really interesting stuff which is helping the wider Plymouth community. It’s also good fun, well run and flexible enough to never clash with my other commitments.
Seeing such a wide range of people become more interested in what the National Marine Park is trying to achieve does have an impact. A number of people I have spoken to have applied to volunteer and using contacts from other organisations has helped join up some activities around the city. It would be fantastic to think that you are helping the project make Plymouth both nationally and internationally recognised for its management of its marine environment.’
Curious about volunteering with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park?
Visit our volunteers page with all the info you need to apply to get stuck in here!
You can also dive into our online guides to discover how you can make a real difference while exploring the wonders of our marine environment.
Make it a team effort
Book with us on behalf of your business or organisation for a team volunteer day! This is a great way for team building, getting a change of scenery and feeling the satisfaction of doing your bit for our beautiful marine environment. Take a look at the activities we run below. For business/organisation volunteer enquiries only, please contact us at PSNMPVolunteers@plymouth.gov.uk
The Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Horizons project has been made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players with £11.6million of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.