Job Vacancies
FUN FACT
Hopefield is home to over 100 species of animals, and nearly 700 animals in total!
JOB VACANCIES
Temporary Halloween Activities Staff
Location: Brentwood, Essex
Dates: 24th October – 1st November 2026
Shift Pattern: Weekends (shift 1) OR Weekdays (shift 2), 9.45am to 3pm
Contract type: Temporary / Seasonal
Pay: £8.00 – £12.71 per hour
Closing Date: 17th October 2026
Calling all big personalities, budding performers and Halloween enthusiasts!
Do you love dressing up, getting into character and entertaining others? Can you turn an everyday interaction into something funny, magical or mischievously spooky? We’d love to hear from you!
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary is looking for enthusiastic, reliable and characterful individuals to join our FANGTASTIC Halloween Activities Team and help create an unforgettable experience for our visitors.
About the role
You’ll help bring our Halloween Festival to life through themed activities, playful interactions and memorable performances.
Being dramatic, engaging and theatrical is a key part of this role. We need people who will fully embrace their character, take the initiative to interact with visitors and keep the energy flowing throughout the day. Your enthusiasm and imagination will help make every family’s visit feel special.
You’ll need to:
- Dress up and stay in character throughout your shift, using expressive voices, facial expressions and gestures to bring your character to life.
- Actively engage with visitors, drawing children and adults into the fun through playful conversation, storytelling and improvisation.
- Run themed games, trails and family activities with energy, confidence and creative flair.
- Adapt your performance to suit different ages and confidence levels, keeping the experience welcoming and enjoyable.
- Help provide a safe, friendly and fun environment for everyone.
- Support the smooth running of the event, including set-up and pack-down where required.
About you
We’re looking for people who are:
- Outgoing, expressive and full of energy.
- Confident speaking, performing and being the centre of attention.
- Happy to be playful, dramatic and theatrical, and fully commit to the Halloween theme.
- Proactive about approaching visitors and creating memorable moments.
- Friendly and comfortable interacting with children and adults.
- Reliable, punctual and available to work across the full event period.
Desirable experience
- Acting, drama, performance or entertainment.
- Working with children or families.
- Events, hospitality or visitor attractions.
Previous performance experience is a bonus, but confidence, enthusiasm and a willingness to throw yourself into the role are essential!
Please note: A DBS check will be required before starting this role.
To apply, please email a copy of your CV along with a cover letter, and your shift choice of preference to office@hopefield.org.uk
Digital Marketing & Growth Manager
Location: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: £30,000 – £37,000 (dependent on experience)
Love animals, creating videos and telling stories that people want to watch? We’re looking for a creative, experienced Digital Marketing and Growth Manager to grow Hopefield’s online community and inspire more people to support our rescued animals.
Based primarily at the sanctuary, you’ll film, edit and publish content across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitch. You’ll also lead paid advertising, SEO, email marketing and website improvements that turn interest into bookings, donations and support.
YouTube will be a major focus, with at least one substantial video each week alongside regular Shorts. You’ll also develop our livestreaming programme and manage digital marketing for Best Equine & Agricultural Fencing Ltd., our trading subsidiary.
We’re looking for strong storytelling and video-editing skills, proven digital marketing experience and confidence using analytics to improve results. Previous animal-charity experience isn’t essential.
Read the full job description here
To apply, email your CV, a short covering letter and examples of your work to dave@hopefield.org.uk, with Digital Marketing and Growth Manager in the subject line. Include results where possible.
Show us what you can create.
Volunteering
Animal Care Volunteer (join our waiting list)
Volunteering at our sanctuary is a truly special opportunity to make a hands-on difference to the lives of hundreds of rescued animals who now call this place home. From cheeky pigs and gentle cows to curious exotics, much-loved small animals like cats and rabbits, and our wonderful equine residents, no two days are ever the same. Every role plays an important part in keeping our animals happy, healthy and safe.
As an Animal Care Volunteer, you’ll work alongside our dedicated team, supporting the day-to-day care of our residents. Your role will include preparing food and fresh bedding, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, helping with enrichment, and ensuring each animal’s environment is clean, comfortable and stimulating. There’s also plenty of opportunity to observe animal behaviour, learn about welfare and care, and enjoy those special moments that come from spending time with animals who have been given a second chance at life.
In return for your time and commitment, you’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience in animal care, develop new skills, build confidence, and become part of a friendly, passionate team who all share the same goal – giving rescued animals the very best life possible. Volunteering here is hard work and often outdoors in all weathers, but it is incredibly rewarding and makes a genuine, lasting impact every single day.
This role may not be the right fit if you’re looking for occasional or short-term volunteering, prefer indoor or desk-based roles, or aren’t comfortable working outside and getting cold, muddy or mucky at times. Our animals rely on consistent routines and familiar faces, so volunteers are asked to commit to the same day each week. While the work can be physical and sometimes tough, those who can commit find it hugely fulfilling.
If you’re compassionate, reliable, not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, and would love to be part of something truly meaningful, we’d love to welcome you to our sanctuary family.
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