OpenHive Volunteer Programme 2024

Beekeeping is one of the oldest forms of agriculture. For thousands of years people have been passing on this skill to others. It can take years to learn all that is needed to keep bees proficiently. But every experienced beekeeper had to start at the beginning. It can be daunting to start out on this journey, which is why we take on a volunteer team each year. We give people the skills and confidence to keep their own bees.

Each year we take on a small group of volunteers. Education forms a huge part of what we do at OpenHive and we really enjoy teaching like-minded people the skills we have picked up as beekeepers over the years. There is a lot of hard work involved but we feel like there is a huge amount to gain as a result.

Kyle, Mark & Jack

To apply for our volunteer programme, please fill out the application form at the bottom of the page.

Applications will close at the end of January 2024 (learn more below).

 
 

OVERVIEW of the volunteer programme

Galway Programme

  • Duration: April - October

  • Timetable to be agreed upon but at least 2 hours per week during peak season

  • Optional Academic Assignments
    Disease Identification & Management
    Hive management techniques

Wicklow Dublin Programme

  • Duration: March - October

  • 3 hours per week (first few weeks will be Saturday mornings from 9-12)

  • 5 full training days (across March/April and August/September)

  • Optional Academic Assignments

    • Disease Identification & Management

    • Hive management techniques

What will you learn?

  • How to setup and install colonies of bees

  • How to complete hive inspections

  • How to keep hive records

  • Logistics of managing an apiary

  • Experience a full season of beekeeping (building frames to harvesting and jarring honey)

  • Hive manipulations - Swarm management, splits, disease control etc.

Requirements

All volunteers must:

  • Have their own beekeeping suit (we will supply OpenHive gloves)

  • Be able to drive and get to locations across Dublin & Wicklow

  • Have completed a beekeeping course either in Jan/ February/March of this year or within the past 2 years

 
Volunteer Beekeeper

The OpenHive Team with two of our volunteers from 2021

“My interest in beekeeping started in 2016, when I met a colleague at work who was a beekeeper. I had never known much about bees but her stories sparked my interest. At some point I found myself sitting around listening to her talk about bees for a good chunk of the workweek, and decided that I wanted to learn more about it myself.

In the midst of the pandemic I was excited to start something new and I signed up for two beekeeping courses in Dublin! I enjoyed them a lot, but I was also looking forward to also physically seeing the bees and working with them.

I considered keeping them in my garden but I was afraid my landlord would not be happy with that, and to be honest, I needed a little more experience :)

That’s when I reached out to OpenHive, who were super welcoming and open to teaching me more about beekeeping by working along with them. Looking back at it, I’m really happy I got in touch with them. Not only because it’s great fun working together, but also because it’s fulfilling to work with the bees, and because working with OpenHive has taught me a lot of things about beekeeping that I wouldn’t have been able to learn by myself!”
— Veerle Dikkers (Volunteer 2021)
 

Fill out this form below to apply for our Volunteer programme