Steep Holm is a fascinating island with a rich military and ecological history, but maintaining its heritage and wildlife requires dedicated volunteers. Whether you’re passionate about conservation, history, archaeology, or just want to lend a hand, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Why volunteer?

By becoming a member and volunteering, you’ll play a vital role in preserving and promoting this historic island. Membership provides the necessary insurance to undertake volunteer activities, and you’ll also have the opportunity to join our member lottery to help raise funds.

How you can help

On the island

Volunteers contribute in many ways, from physical labour to customer service:

• Landscaping & Maintenance – Clearing vegetation, cutting grass, and digging out gun rooms to preserve the island’s natural and historical features.
• Restoration Work – Helping to restore key historical structures, from installing railings to recreating original furniture in the gunpowder rooms.
• Ecology & Wildlife – Conducting surveys on the birds, flora, and fauna to help conserve Steep Holm’s natural habitat.
• Archaeology & Museum Curation – Assisting with archaeological digs or helping to maintain the island’s museum.
• Running the Shop & Museum Tours – Selling teas, souvenirs, and providing information to visitors.
• General Cleaning & Maintenance – Looking after the barracks, toilets, and other visitor facilities.
• Specialist Skills – If you have experience in generator servicing, general building, or plumbing, your help would be invaluable.

Onshore volunteering

If you can’t make it to the island but still want to help, we always need support with:

• IT, social media, marketing, finance, and administration.
• Fundraising and promotion to ensure the long-term sustainability of Steep Holm.
• Trustee Roles – If you’re interested in a leadership role, you might consider becoming a trustee or assisting in taking minutes at our trustee meetings, held near Weston-super-Mare every couple of months.

How to get started

We recommend booking a trip to the island first, so you can explore, meet fellow volunteers, and decide how you’d like to contribute. You don’t have to commit to every trip - we can schedule visits based on the tides and seasonal needs.

However, bear in mind that trips can be cancelled at short notice due to wind conditions. Safe crossings require very calm seas for the RIB boats to make the journey.

Join us!

Becoming a member is the first step, and depending on volunteer numbers, we may need to prioritise specific skills at certain times. However, all offers of help are greatly appreciated - whether on the island or onshore.

To see what volunteering on Steep Holm is like, check out the BBC feature on our volunteers.

Channel 5 also visited the island for their ‘Wonder of the Westcountry’ series.

Interested? Contact our membership secretary today and become part of Steep Holm’s unique volunteer team!