How will the role work?

We'll provide the training and supplies you need to start running your own Marine Conservation Society stands or stalls in your area. This will include an "Event pack" with helpful resources. Once trained, we'll add you to our list of Events Organisers. This means we can get in touch with any opportunities or upcoming events in your area which the host has asked the Marine Conservation Society to attend. We’ll contact you if something comes up in your area. Alternatively, you can seek out your own opportunities by connecting with event hosts in your area. These could be school fairs, community festivals or summer fetes. We can't cover the cost of events that charge to attend, so please check with the event host that there is no attendance fee!

What should I expect?

Generally, more fairs and fetes happen in the spring and summer, so these may well be your busiest months. Events are often organised several weeks or months in advance, so we hope to give you plenty of notice. Depending on where you live, the number of opportunities may vary (for example, if you live in a town with a strong sense of community, events like this might be common). We will not ask you to travel more than an hour, and we can cover your expenses if cost would be a barrier to participating.

What support is available?

The Ocean Voice online training is available below whenever you want to refresh your knowledge. The Volunteering and Citizen Science Team are always happy to be contacted on seachampions@mcsuk.org.

A man and a woman speaking with a smiling volunteer at a Marine Conservation Society display table. The man and women are holding litter picking items that were on the table.

Events organiser resources

Resources to support you in your role as an events organiser

Frequently asked questions about being an events organiser

We'll provide the training and supplies you need to start running your own Marine Conservation Society stands or stalls in your area. This will include an "Event pack" with helpful resources.

Once trained, we'll add you to our list of Events Organisers. This means we can get in touch with any opportunities or upcoming events in your area which the host has asked the Marine Conservation Society to attend. We’ll contact you if something comes up in your area.
Alternatively, you can seek out your own opportunities by connecting with event hosts in your area. These could be school fairs, community festivals or summer fetes. We can't cover the cost of events that charge to attend, so please check with the event host that there is no attendance fee!

Generally, more fairs and fetes happen in the spring and summer, so these may well be your busiest months.
Events are often organised several weeks or months in advance, so we hope to give you plenty of notice.
Depending on where you live, the number of opportunities may vary (for example, if you live in a town with a strong sense of community, events like this might be common).
We will not ask you to travel more than an hour, and we can cover your expenses if cost would be a barrier to participating.

Online training

Training for this role consists of two online sessions, outlined below.

Training 1 of 2: What is Ocean Voices? (Monday 26 October, 6:00pm to 7:00pm)
This session will introduce the Ocean Voices programme, provide an overview of the Marine Conservation Society, explore the volunteer roles available, and cover the practicalities of volunteering as an Ocean Voice.
Training 2 of 2: Speaking for Our Ocean (Monday 2 November, 6:00pm to 7:30pm)
This session focuses on the key skills needed for the role, including science communication, speaking in the Marine Conservation Society's voice, understanding different audiences, delivering events, engaging with the media, and supporting fundraising activities.

To attend these sessions, please complete the form below. Once we receive your application, we will send you the registration details.

If you're interested in becoming an Ocean Voices volunteer but cannot attend these training dates, we still encourage you to complete the form. We'll add you to our mailing list and let you know when the next training sessions are available.

A volunteer at a Marine Conservation Society stall on a beach showing a picture of a shell to a woman and two children.

A Marine Conservation Society education stall on Lusty Glaze beach. | Image credit: Adj Brown

Useful documents

Use this email template to contact event hosts and arrange your stall.
Read this welcome and guidance document, that will also be printed and included in your event pack.
Find and share contacts in your area using this spreadsheet, kindly produced by Sea Champion, Sophie.
If you need a top-up of supplies for your event pack, fill out this form and we will get back to you.
Fill in and return this expenses form before your event if travel costs are a barrier to taking part.
You can read a detailed role description here.
Please log your activity after an event to support our reports to funders.

Students learning about various marine artifacts like seashells and fossils at a Marine Conservation Stall.

A Marine Conservation Sociery stall at Glasgow Science Centre | Image credit: Paul Watt

Risk Assessment

Please take the time to read this Risk Assessment before starting your activities as an Events Organiser. This can be downloaded and edited if any local factors should be considered before your event.

You're covered by the Marine Conservation Society's Public Liability Insurance while you'ree volunteering with us. This can be downloaded and shared with event hosts if requested.

Event organiser risk assessment

If you need any help or advice please contact [email protected]

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