Heritage volunteer roles

Join the Board of Bristol Historic Buildings Trust - help fund the restoration of a Bristol landmark

Bristol Historic Buildings Trust (BHBT) is seeking a new Trustee with fundraising experience to help us bring Ashton Court Mansion back to life.

Ashton Court Mansion is a Grade I listed manor house with origins in the 14th century, set within an 850-acre estate on the edge of Bristol. Around three quarters of the building remains derelict. We are working with Bristol City Council to take a 125-year lease and regenerate the Mansion as a living civic place where heritage, creativity and public life meet.

We are already in the building under a tenancy at will, have refurbished the first rooms and begun taking event bookings. We are converting to a Charitable Community Benefit Society and preparing to launch a Community Share Offer shortly. Beyond that sits the long-term restoration itself - a phased, grant-led programme of significant scale, requiring a sustained major grants pipeline and a matching campaign alongside it.

Our vision is a building that works as a place of celebration, incubation and education, programmed around five areas: food, culture and arts, skills, nature and outdoors, and heritage.

We need a trustee with significant fundraising experience, who can help achieve our vision for ACM and who can help the Board build the capability to do it repeatedly.

What we are looking for (some, not all, of the following)

•Experience of major capital fundraising, ideally in heritage, culture or the built environment

•A track record with major grant funders - National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Historic England, trusts and foundations

•Major gifts and high-net-worth donor cultivation

•Corporate partnerships and business sponsorship

•Individual giving, regular giving and membership schemes

•Experience shaping a compelling case for support and holding an organisation to a fundraising strategy and pipeline

What the role involves

•Bringing fundraising challenge and expertise to Board discussions, and helping set realistic targets

•Supporting the development of our grant pipeline, major donor strategy and supporter programmes

•Opening doors where you can, and representing the Trust to funders and supporters

•4 quarterly board meetings per year (March, June, September, December), approx. 2 hours each

•An annual strategy day

•Additional involvement as your skills allow - fundraising, stakeholder meetings, representing the charity at events

•Terms of up to 3 years (renewable)

•The role is unremunerated; reasonable expenses are reimbursed

About us

We are committed to a Board that reflects the community we serve and the wider Bristol community, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Our mission: to restore and operate Ashton Court Mansion through a mixed-use model combining conservation, community programming and commercial activity, sustained by a diversified income base of earned income, grants, donations and community investment.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Informal conversations welcome before applying.

Send a brief statement of suitability (up to 250 words) and your CV by 20th September 2026

As a volunteer Digital Champion, you will help people across Manchester preserve and share the stories that matter to them. Supporting This Is Us: Tracing Manchester’s Histories, you’ll be working with local communities, cultural organisations, researchers, and sector practitioners as part of a community-led storytelling project dedicated to preserving and celebrating Manchester’s diverse histories.

Your role will support participants to contribute their stories, capture memories, and record oral histories for sharing on our growing digital platform. Your contributions will play an important part in the platform’s long-term sustainability and help create an accessible and inclusive historical record that recognises the people, places, and communities that have shaped this city.

Whether you’re passionate about local histories, heritage, or content creation, this is an opportunity to develop new skills while gaining valuable experience in digital storytelling, oral histories, recording techniques, and community engagement.

No experience is needed to apply for this role. Before you begin volunteering, you’ll take part in a free training and induction programme delivered by Manchester Histories staff and experienced practitioners from the heritage, cultural, and community sectors.

Through a combination of practical workshops and hands-on activities, you’ll learn how to:

• Use recording equipment and digital storytelling tools
• Record and preserve oral histories
• Conduct engaging interviews and produce engaging stories
• Work ethically with lived experiences, including consent and safeguarding
• Build confidence supporting communities to share their stories
• Develop inclusive approaches to storytelling and community engagement

By the end of the programme, you’ll have the confidence and practical skills needed to become a Digital Champion – supporting people to record, preserve, and share the stories that matter to their communities.

Digital Champion Training

Training will take place every Saturday in the Manchester Histories Hub, Manchester Central Library from 12 September to 7 November 2026.

To help you get the most out of the experience, we encourage volunteers to attend all training sessions where possible. Please consider your availability for these sessions before applying.

Person Specification

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. You don’t need any formal qualifications or previous experience to become a Digital Champion. We’re looking for people who are enthusiastic, curious, and committed to helping preserve Manchester’s stories.

We want to hear from you if you:

• Have an interest in Manchester’s histories, heritage, and communities.
• Believe in the importance of inclusion, diversity, and representation.
• Are passionate about helping communities share and celebrate their lived experiences.
• Enjoy meeting people and listening to their stories.
• Are keen to learn new skills, particularly in digital storytelling and oral histories.
• Are comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
• Are reliable and able to commit to the training programme and volunteer activities.

Experience in storytelling, community engagement, heritage, digital media, or volunteering is welcome, but not essential. Full training and ongoing support will be provided throughout the project.

We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic people to help us in our brand-new Visitor Centre at Crystal Palace Park!  

The Visitor Centre is a welcoming hub where visitors can discover the history and heritage of Crystal Palace Park through a permanent exhibition, browse our gift shop and find information to help them make the most of their visit to Crystal Palace Park. The building also includes a flexible space available to hire for community events, meetings, and activities.

Volunteers will play a vital role in ensuring that visitors have an informative and positive visit. You’ll volunteer in pairs, supported by paid staff, to welcome visitors and support our Visitor Centre shop and membership opportunities.

This role will suit you if you are a friendly, outgoing individual who is keen to gain retail and customer service experience while learning more about working for a charity.

What’s involved: 

• Welcoming visitors to Crystal Palace Park and helping to ensure that we provide an inclusive and friendly environment for all our visitors. 

• Supporting the Visitor Centre shop, including serving customers, processing sales through our cashless till system and helping to ensure the stock is monitored and the space is welcoming and tidy. 

• Wayfinding – helping visitors map out their route around the park, including information about park services; toilets, cafes and seating areas 

• Promoting Crystal Palace Park, including our aiding visitors to join as Crystal Palace Park Members using our membership tablets. 

Time involved: 

This role is available Wednesday – Sunday throughout the year. Hours involved will be across two shift patterns, AM: 9.45 – 1.00pm and PM: 12.45 – 4.00pm. 

There will also be ad-hoc evening openings throughout the year which volunteers can also be involved in.

We encourage volunteers to take part in this role for at least 3 months to get the most out of the opportunity.

This role will suit you if: 

• You are a friendly and welcoming person, and you enjoy talking and meeting a wide variety of people 

• You’re happy to volunteer as part of a team 

• You’re interested in learning more about our history and communicating information to our visitors 

• You’d like to gain retail experience and customer service skills

• You’re interested in learning more about working for a charity and gaining understanding of the importance of membership and donations.

Support and training: 

We will provide you with all the training necessary for your role, including: 

• An induction and full briefing before your first session 

• Training in how to assist in the shop and membership engagement 

• Support from Trust and Freelance staff.

• Volunteers are covered under Crystal Palace Park’s public liability insurance 

We will offer you:

• A volunteer uniform (lanyard or pin badge) 

• Reimbursement of travel expenses up to maximum of a zone 1-6 travelcard 

• Support from a dedicated volunteer officer 

• Access to facilities, water and light refreshments 
• Ongoing support and supervision from Trust staff 

Access information: 

This role takes place inside the Visitor Centre in Crystal Palace Park which is step free. We want to make our volunteer roles accessible and if you have access requirements or would like to discuss whether this role is suitable for you, please get in touch. 

Role Overview

• Role Title: Volunteer Administrative and Archiving Assistant
• Organisation: Swadhinata Trust
• Location: Hybrid (Remote file management, online digital cataloguing, and in-person physical archiving in London)
• Commitment: 5–8 hours per week (Flexible)
• Compensation: Unpaid volunteer role

Key Responsibilities

• Digital & Physical Archiving:
  • Sort, organise, and streamline the shared drive (remote).
  • Carry out digital cataloguing of assets and records (online).
  • Manage and arrange physical archive materials (in-person).
• General Administration:
  • Monitor and reply to general admin emails.
  • Help coordinate and schedule team meetings.
  • Attend meetings, take clear notes, and write up minutes.

Person Specification

• Skills: Good eye for detail, organised, and reliable.
• Tech: Comfortable using shared drives, cloud storage, and video meeting tools.
• Interest: An appreciation for community heritage and the work of the Trust.

See inside our Collections storage facility - closed to the public - and help us prepare to move our collection to a new facility

What is an Inventory volunteer?

The RAF Museum has many items in its collection which are not currently on display. Our inventory volunteers will ensure that we have an up-to-date record of all the items in our reserve collection, their purpose and condition, to help us prepare to move from our current store outside Stafford to a new storage facility in Cosford. This is a weekday only opportunity.

This role sits within the RAF Museum’s Midlands Development Programme which will transform our museum and our impact on the local community through a series of phased projects – engaging audiences who may not obviously identify with the RAF story by finding common interests and histories which link them. As part of this project, we are planning a new learning centre, outdoor spaces, collections hub and major exhibition.

What will I be doing?

The Inventory Volunteer role could encompass various tasks, which might include:

· Assessing objects’ condition

· Measuring and weighing items

· Undertaking cleaning as required

· Object photography

This role is perfect for you if you…

· Are curious and eager to learn

· Pay attention to detail

· Have a light and careful touch

· Are happy working as part of a team

· Are organised and able to keep accurate records

How much time would I need to commit?

Ideally a half day (09:00 to 12:00 or 13:00 to 16:00) once a week, although other arrangements can be considered on a case-by-case basis. We would ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of 20 volunteering sessions. This is a weekdays only opportunity.

What's in it for me?

· Becoming part of a great team of volunteers and staff

· See and handle objects from the RAF Museum’s collection not on public display

· Learn about object conservation

· Discover more about the history of the RAF

· Gain behind-the-scenes experience within the heritage sector

· 25% discount at our retail outlets and café[KS1] 

· Travel expenses reimbursed up to £14.50 per day, in line with our policy

· Free entry to a wide range of museums and heritage sites across the UK.

Art Explora is a non-profit arts organisation that aims to share arts and culture with everyone - locally, nationally and internationally - and inspire new encounters between arts and audiences.

Arts at Home supports older people to access arts and culture by encouraging conversation and connection through art. We are looking for volunteers to participate in our "Arts at Home" sessions in residential care homes. In these sessions, you will introduce works of art of your choice and facilitate conversations around the artworks with residents. No prior professional experience is needed; we will provide you with the necessary training.

You will need to be able to travel to Birmingham locations independently (pre agreed local travel expenses paid). 

Why you'll love it:

• You will meet new people & alleviate feelings of loneliness through creativity and connection.
• You will be offered spaces on trips to galleries and theatres with our care setting residents as part of our ‘Art Explorers at...’ project. 
• You will learn about art, heritage, and history, through your research and other volunteers.
• You will develop communication and public speaking skills
• You will gain experience working with vulnerable adults and build an understanding of how art can support a sense of community and wellbeing. 

If you are a confident communicator and passionate about arts, we would love to hear from you!

Become Treasurer of Bristol Historic Buildings Trust - help put a Grade I landmark on a sustainable footing

Bristol Historic Buildings Trust (BHBT) is looking for a Treasurer to join our Board as we bring Ashton Court Mansion back into full public life.

Ashton Court Mansion is a Grade I listed manor house with origins in the 14th century, set within an 850-acre estate on the edge of Bristol. Around three quarters of the building remains derelict. We are working with Bristol City Council to take a 125-year lease and regenerate the Mansion as a living civic place where heritage, creativity and public life meet.

This is a real moment of transition. We are already in the building under a tenancy at will, have refurbished the first rooms and begun taking event bookings. We are converting to a Charitable Community Benefit Society and preparing to launch a Community Share Offer shortly, raising community investment towards the lease and the first phase of works. Restoration of the whole building is a multi-decade, grant-led programme of significant scale.

Our vision is a building that works as a place of celebration, incubation and education, programmed around five areas: food, culture and arts, skills, nature and outdoors, and heritage.

The Treasurer will be central to how credibly we make that case.

What we are looking for

•A qualified accountant, or equivalent senior finance experience

•Confidence with charity finance, or solid general finance experience and the appetite to pick up the charity-specific parts with us

•Experience overseeing budgets, management accounts and cashflow in an organisation moving from small to substantially larger

•Comfort scrutinising a multi-year financial model and its assumptions, and explaining the numbers plainly to fellow trustees, funders and the public

•Ideally, exposure to community shares, social investment or capital fundraising - though this is not essential

What the role involves

•Leading Board-level financial oversight: budget approval, management accounts, annual accounts, reserves and risk

•Helping us stand behind the financial disclosures in our lease case and share offer documents

•4 quarterly board meetings per year (March, June, September, December), approx. 2 hours each, plus Finance and Audit Committee meetings

•An annual strategy day

•Terms of up to 3 years (renewable)

•The role is unremunerated; reasonable expenses are reimbursed

About us

We are committed to a Board that reflects the community we serve and the wider Bristol community, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Our mission: to restore and operate Ashton Court Mansion through a mixed-use model combining conservation, community programming and commercial activity, sustained by a diversified income base of earned income, grants, donations and community investment.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Informal conversations welcome before applying. 

Send a brief statement of suitability (up to 250 words) and your CV  by 20th September 2026

Support our English teachers in real classrooms, morning and. You'll co-teach elementary and middle school students from 7:30am to 12:30pm. You will support teachers with worksheets, collaborate with them on classes, and help improve children's educational experience. No teaching certification needed, just reliability and a willingness to get in the trenches with a classroom full of 20 kids who are counting on you showing up. If you've got a skill to bring (art, music, sports, a second language), even better: NDG actively encourages volunteers to build on it. 

Niños de Guatemala started in 2006, when three young Dutch travelers saw up close what a lack of schooling does to a family — and decided to build schools instead. Today that's grown into 3 schools, over 500 children in Ciudad Vieja and San Lorenzo El Cubo, and one simple promise: no child gets left without an education because their family can't afford it. It's a small NGO where every volunteer is felt, every week matters, and the impact isn't abstract — it has a name and a face.

Antigua Guatemala: cobblestone streets, three volcanoes on the horizon, and a UNESCO World Heritage colonial town as your home base. From there, a short, already-organized commute (NDG handles transport for your first few days) takes you to Ciudad Vieja or San Lorenzo El Cubo — communities just 20-30 minutes away where you'll spend your mornings. Real classroom mornings, Antigua evenings — the perfect balance of adventure and purpose.

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Operations Volunteer

The Goal: You are the engine room! You’ll help ensure our day-to-day systems, from IT to HR, are smooth and supportive.

We’d love help with:

• Daily Support: Helping with office admin, logistics, or coordinating meetings.

• Improving Systems: Assisting with our CRM (database) or helping the team get the most out of our tech.

• People Support: Helping with the "welcome" process for new staff or volunteers.

What you bring:

• A proactive, "can-do" attitude and a knack for multitasking.

• Great people skills and an organised approach to busy days.

• Tech-savviness (or a quick ability to learn new software).

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Fundraising and Partnerships Volunteer

The Goal: Help us build the relationships that fuel our work. You’ll be part of the team that finds the resources we need to grow.

We’d love help with:

• Researching Opportunities: Finding new grants, trusts, or local businesses who might want to partner with us.

• Drafting Bids: Helping us write compelling stories and applications for funding.

• Relationship Building: Supporting our communications with current donors to keep them updated on our success.

What you bring:

• A gift for storytelling and clear, persuasive writing.

• A friendly, professional manner and a love for networking.

• Persistence and a "hunter" mindset for finding new opportunities.

TRUSTEE MARY WARD SETTLEMENT

Stratford London hybrid

Unpaid role

Voluntary

Education, legal and community services

Actively interviewing

Job Description

Join the Boards of the Mary Ward Settlement, the Mary Ward Legal Centre and the Blackfriars Settlement at a pivotal time for the charities, as the Settlement has relocated to purpose-built accommodation in Stratford. The Mary Ward Settlement has a proud heritage as part of the Settlement Movement which developed in the late 19th Century as a response to urban poverty and social problems arising from industrialisation. Mary Ward founded the Settlement in 1892 to “provide public education and social service for the benefit of the community” at a time and in an area where great wealth and great deprivation stood side by side, much as they do today – the Settlement’s work continues to be important.

Currently the Settlement delivers its services via:

· The Mary Ward Centre – an Institute of Adult Learning and an adult and community learning provider offering a wide range of learning opportunities for local and pan London residents funded primarily by the Greater London Authority.  Most accredited provision is at Level 2 or below in Essential Skills (ESOL, English and Maths and Digital Skills.  There is also a significant and thriving non-accredited offer of courses ranging from 12 weeks to one day workshops, the majority of which are Art and Design. 

· The Mary Ward Legal Centre – providing free specialist legal advice on housing, welfare benefits and debt. We also provide free legal advice as part of our pro bono clinic in the areas of employment, housing, small claims, consumer, and family.

· The Blackfriars Settlement – providing services to the community including health and well-being for older people, and mental health and wellbeing services to support people achieve their goals and stay well.

The Settlement is looking for people who are passionate about social justice, lifelong learning and education, and the importance of strong local communities to foster wellbeing for all. This is an opportunity to:

· Apply your skills and experience in a leadership role.

· Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV

· Support a vital organisation during a time of transformation

· Contribute to the local community.

As part of the Board, you will:

· Set strategic direction

· Hold leadership to account

· Ensure governance excellence

· Act as a charity trustee and company director ensuring financial sustainability and legal compliance.

We welcome people who have knowledge and experience of working in the following areas including but not limited to:

· Education, particularly with Adult and Community Learning, FE or Local Authority experience

· Finance, Audit and RIsk

· IT and cyber security

· Legal, Governance and Compliance

· Marketing, HR, Communications and PR

· Fund Raising

· Health and wellbeing

· Charity

· Community work, including volunteering in your local community

Most meetings are remote, but two or three meetings a year will take place in Stratford, East London.

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Strategy and Programme Volunteer

The Goal:Help us turn our big dreams into reality. You will be part of the team that takes our ambitions and builds them into practical, life-changing projects.

We’d love help with:

• Planning the Journey: Helping us draft clear project plans and timelines.

• Tracking our Progress: Helping us collect information to see how well our projects are doing.

• Organising Teams: Assisting with the coordination of different tasks to keep everything running on time.

What you bring:

• An organised mind and a love for "getting things done."

• Experience in project management or a strong interest in how charities run.

• The ability to see the steps needed to reach a big goal.

We are looking for a new member of the Canterbury Cathedral Audit and Risk Committee, which provides independent oversight of the Cathedral’s systems of internal control, risk management, and financial reporting. As a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, you will support the Chapter, the Cathedral's governing body, in discharging its responsibilities as a registered charity and steward of public trust, overseeing external and internal audit functions, and the mitigation of financial, reputational, operational and safeguarding risks.

This is meaningful work in a truly unique setting, and we are seeking a committee member who can combine professional expertise with a collaborative spirit and a commitment to the Cathedral’s evolving mission. We value diverse perspectives and a forward-looking approach, ensuring our governance continues to be as enduring and inspiring as the building itself.

Birmingham Cathedral is seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual to join its Chapter as a non-executive member. This is a unique opportunity to contribute as a trustee to the cathedral's strategic direction, provide governance and oversight, and share responsibility for the stewardship and sustainability of the resources that support its mission and ministry.

As a member of the Cathedral Chapter, you will share with the Dean in the oversight of cathedral life. Chapter members are invaluable in shaping the direction of the cathedral and ensuring we continue to fulfil our mission and purpose. You will work collaboratively with clergy, staff, volunteers and external partners to uphold the cathedral’s mission, vision, values and strategic priorities.