Museum volunteer roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer Admissions Assistant
You'll be multitasking throughout the day, with a mix of responsibilities including customer service, ticket sales, promoting Gift Aid donations, shop duties, guiding visitors and providing information about the Museum and the collection. If you enjoy a fast-paced environment and love engaging with people, this is the role for you.
The Volunteer Admissions Assistant role is all about making a lasting impression and creating a memorable visitor experience. You’ll be:
- Welcoming and engaging with visitors, sharing information about the museum and its collection.
- Selling tickets and gift shop items, ensuring smooth transactions and great customer service.
- Collecting data for Gift Aid and marketing purposes, including how visitors found out about us.
- Creating positive experiences to encourage return visits and word-of-mouth recommendations.
- Helping visitors explore the Museum through interpretation, answering questions and distributing trails, accessibility and family activities.
- Maintaining the gift shop, including restocking, counting stock, and setting up attractive displays.
- Conducting online research and building contact lists to support marketing efforts.
- Promoting the Museum locally, raising awareness and encouraging more visitors to discover what we have to offer!
Who we’re looking for:
We’d like to extend an invitation to anyone, particularly members of the local community. Full training will be provided, we are looking for anyone with:
- Great customer service skills – you will be friendly and confident about approaching visitors of all ages and backgrounds
- Great communication skills – you will be able to clearly explain information about the Museum and ticketing to visitors
- Good computer skills – with training, you will be able to use our ticketing system, email and Microsoft Office
- Good Sales Skills – you will be able to promote ticket sales and gift shop items as well as encouraging Gift Aid donations
- Multitasking skills – with various responsibilities such as selling tickets, guiding visitors, and managing the gift shop, you will be able to juggle tasks efficiently
- A good telephone manner
- Good team working skills
This role offers plenty of variety, and you'll play an important part in making every visitor's experience unforgettable.
Training and support:
All volunteers will first be invited for a training shift. We have an induction and training process, during which we give volunteers the information they need to enjoy their time with us. Training is mainly 'on the job', supported by an experienced volunteer as well as the manager on duty. Volunteers are given regular feedback and we remain open to suggestions on how we can improve the volunteer experience. The Admissions Assistant receives continued training and development throughout their time with us.
Availability:
We are looking for volunteers who would ideally like to donate 2-4 shifts per month, weekdays or weekends, either as a 10-1.30pm shift, or a 1.30-5pm shift, for a minimum of 3 months. Ideally, you will be able to start immediately, although this is not essential. Travel expenses up to £5 will be paid, with up to an additional £5 for lunch expenses if you are on a full day shift.
Please note: Applicants from some overseas countries are required to have a relevant work permit or student visa to volunteer in the U.K. We’ll need to see this for our records before volunteering can commence.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About The Role
Step inside Scott House Museum, the home where Sir Peter Scott lived, worked and helped pioneer the world’s first live wildlife TV broadcasts. Overlooking Rushy Lake which is alive with wild birds, this unique museum captures a remarkable moment in conservation and broadcasting history.
We’re looking for volunteers to help care for the historic interiors, artworks and personal objects that make this house so special. If you love heritage, enjoy hands-on work with fascinating collections and take pride in looking after special places, this role could be for you.
What you’ll do
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Care for historic objects and furnishings to museum standards
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Support conservation cleaning and preventative care
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Monitor conditions and help protect the collection for the future
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Handle intriguing objects with stories to tell
Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. Please note this role is not suitable for Under 18's.
If you are interested in volunteering for WWT but don't wish to apply online, please email us, or give us a call and leave us a message with your name and number.
Just to let you know, some of our roles are very popular. To help our teams and minimise disappointment for people kind enough to want to support us, we might take roles down before the closing date if we get a lot of applications. If you do miss a role, or are looking for something particular, you can sign up to opportunity alerts.
We will begin reviewing applications for this role in January as we are busy delivering seasonal events over the festive period.
About You
Why volunteer with us?
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Help preserve the legacy of Sir Peter Scott and WWT
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Develop specialist conservation and collections care skills
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Volunteer in a historically important house with wonderful lakeside views
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Be part of a friendly, passionate team of people who care about heritage and nature
About Us
We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.
Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.
Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?
Why you'll love volunteering at WWT
- Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
- Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
- Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
- Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
- Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
- Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life
For more information on this unique role, and otheres, and to apply please visit our webapge.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Centre Manager
The Teignbridge Heritage Centre is a focal point for recording the history and culture of our local environment. The museum has a large collection of historical and contemporary artifacts including the remains of the French invasion and sacking of Teignmouth in 1690. It also offers comprehensive research and archive access to a large collection of historical artifacts and data.
Applications are invited for the post of Centre Manager
This voluntary role is key to the smooth running and viability of the Museum and carries responsibility for most aspects of the day-to-day coordination and administration of the Centre. Much of the role’s responsibilities can be handled online with a nominal ½ day a week on duty at the Museum.
Ideal applicants will be able to bring business experience and flexibility to handle a range of responsibilities and a team of volunteers. Well-developed administrative and delegation skills, possibly acquired from a management role in industry or commerce, will be a distinct advantage.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
Museum Collections Volunteer Are you passionate about heritage and sharing St John’s story with the public?
Would you like to work with our Museum team on Fabric of Community: St John Ambulance Uniform and Volunteer Identity, a two-year project to transform the way we care for and share our extensive uniform collection.
his is a hands-on role that will give you the opportunity to work with historic objects, all while unlocking the potential of an important and fascinating collection.
The project has been made possible with Art Fund support. What will you be doing? Working as part of a team to identify, audit and research the uniform collection. Sharing new discoveries through supporting blog posts and other public engagement activities. Representing St John positively and in line with our HEART values.
Requirements for the role? An interest in the history of St John’s lifesaving work. Passion for sharing heritage with new audiences and making good-quality data accessible. Close attention to detail. Familiarity with Office 365. Volunteering will take place at the Museum of the Order of St John in London.
Full training will be provided and no previous experience working in Museums or Archives required. How often will you be volunteering? The commitment is one day per week, Wednesdays, 10am – 4pm. There will also be a conservation workshop on Wednesday 4 March which all team members need to attend (10am – 4pm).
What you’ll learn Welcome and induction to the Museum team The history of St John, its people and its lifesaving work in communities How to document, research and catalogue textile collections How to preserve and care for textile collections Selection activities 30-minute informal interview, either in-person or via Microsoft Teams.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re looking for 2 Support group volunteers over the age of 18 years old, based at Horniman Museum, 100 London Road , Lewisham SE23 3PQ.
You’ll be volunteering every second Tuesday of the month, from 2pm until 4pm.
The role is designed to suit the needs of the group, and the skills of people offering support. If you enjoy getting to know your community, working with others and making a real difference then this is the role for you.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Institute of Conservation (Icon) is seeking an enterprising and passionate supporter of cultural heritage to chair our Board of Trustees through an ambitious period of growth and change.
This fulfilling role will appeal to a people focused individual, who will welcome the opportunity to actively engage with Icon's membership and the wider heritage sector. We are looking for the skills and ambition to support us as we establish a new strategy to champion conservation and deliver sustainable financial growth to support our charitable objectives.
About the Role
The Chair’s responsibilities include those of all Icon Trustees, with the additional operational responsibilities:
- Providing leadership to the Board in its strategic and policy role
- Chairing the Board and other meetings to facilitate positive discussion and development
- Ensuring the Board fulfils its legal and charitable responsibilities for the governance of Icon
- Establishing a constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive
- Appraising the performance of the Chief Executive and the Trustees
- Advocating for Icon and conservation via public speaking appointments at Icon events and within the wider heritage sector
- Supporting Icon’s petition for Royal Charter through stakeholder engagement activity
For the full list of responsibilities and information on Icon including its mission and values, please refer to the Chair of the Board of Trustees Recruitment Pack
About You
You will be:
- Committed to Icon’s values and the conservation of cultural heritage
- Committed to the professional ethos that defines Icon and its members
- Able to direct the business of the Board efficiently and effectively
- Skilled in developing and nurturing productive working relationships
- Willing to challenge us and introduce new ways of thinking
You will have experience in:
- Charity or corporate governance
- High level advocacy across a range of media, including public speaking, interviewing and written commentary
- Successful fundraising and/or entrepreneurial activities
- Delivering organisational growth and future resilience
- Problem solving, building understanding, and fostering collaboration
All trustees must agree to comply with the Trustees’ Code of Conduct. You can find more information about being a Trustee on Icon’s website.
How to Apply
If you would like to be considered for a position on our Board of Trustees, please submit a brief covering letter (no more than one side of A4) explaining why you are interested in the role and highlighting your relevant skills and experience. Please also provide your CV, covering no more than two sides of A4.
Detailed application instructions can be found on Icon's website.
Applications close on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 5PM.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Family Friends carefully recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our befriending volunteers offer long-term practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two befriending volunteer opportunities with us-, Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.
Our Big Buddies support young people, aged 10-18, for a few hours each week over a period of 6 -12 months. With encouragement and support, volunteers will aim to help young people to discover their strengths and build confidence.
Support may look like:
- Helping to strengthen family relationships.
- Providing a listening ear
- Taking young person to the cinema, museums, libraries - broadening their horizons!
Essential Criteria:
- Can commit to the Big Buddies programme for a minimum of 6 months
- 18+
- Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years
What we provide in return:
- Full induction training and ongoing training
- Full DBS check
- Support and supervision
- The chance to learn new skills
- References provided after 6 months' commitment
- Reimbursement of travel and session expenses
We are an equal opportunities charity and we value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and would like to encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us by contacting us here for an online application form.
Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Description
We are seeking four new Trustees to join our Board. This application process is rolling, meaning there is no deadline - so please enquire and apply sooner rather than later! We anticipate the process will conclude in mid-2026.
Who are we?
We are a disability-led arts organisation which works to improve access to culture for disabled people by providing opportunities for disabled creatives, training cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and through running participatory arts and development programmes.
Our programmes have run for fifty years, supporting disabled creatives and those facing disabling barriers to creative careers or audience participation. Our current programme finds us opening new avenues for disabled creatives through commissioning, exhibitions, and learning-based support such as residencies, advice, and guidance.
We continue to break new ground in digital spheres and advocating for disabled people struggling to access the arts and creative industries through our consultancy services.
We work across three main areas:
- A creative programme, working directly with disabled creatives
- Heritage projects, documenting the social history of disabled people
- Access consultancy, including training and auditing
We receive funding from Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund to support our creative programme and heritage projects.
We are recruiting disabled and non-disabled voluntary Board members. As a member of our Board, you will gain an insight to how the arts and cultural industries in the UK work. From lived experience to professional experience, we are looking for people from all backgrounds who are passionate about the arts and its potential to change disabled people's lives to join our Board.
Please read or listen to all guidance on our site before applying!
Job Requirements
The Board and Shape's Executive Team meet four times a year - once every three months. Each meeting takes up about half a day.
In addition, Trustees are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the yearly Away Day, both of which happen once per year.
The main responsibilities of any Charity Trustee are outlined by the Charity Commission. You can browse their '5-minute guides' for Trustees on their website.
The Nolan Principles of Public Life set the standards for how our trustees are expected to conduct themselves. These are:
- Selflessness
- Integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Openness
- Honesty
- Leadership
You can read more about these principles on the UK Government's website.
Job Responsibilities
Our team of Trustees are responsible for ensuring that:
- Shape complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, and that it pursues only the objectives which are defined in it
- Shape complies with charity law, employment law and other relevant legislation or regulations
- Shape is financially viable
- the Board is defining goals and setting targets for the organisation, and that performance is evaluated against these targets
- Shape's ethos and reputation are safeguarded
- Administration is effective and efficient and we are accountable to our stakeholders and funders
The Board are also responsible for:
- Contributing to the Board's role in giving firm strategic direction
- Appointing the Chief Executive and monitoring their performance
- Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels, as required
- Attending either the Finance, HR and Risk, or Programme and Development Sub Committees
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Open Country is a Charity that helps people with disabilities to access and enjoy the countryside. We are always looking for volunteers to support our conservation and gardening groups, walking group and our weekend outings.
- Conservation group meet on a Tuesday and is made up of adults with learning disabilities who carry out practical conservation tasks each week at various locations. We work with organisations like Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and RSPB. Tasks can include meadow creation, tree planting, pond maintenance and invasive species removal to name but a few.
- Walking group meet on a Thursday and is made up of adults with learning disabilities or sensory impairments. We walk between 5-7miles each week at different locations around Yorkshire and normally finish the walk with a pub or cafe stop.
- Gardening and arts group meet on a Friday, and is made up of adults with learning disabilities, where we learn about gardening and various natural craft like willow weaving. We also regulary work with organisations like the National Trust and the National Coal Mining Museum.
We also run weekend outings for people with all kinds of disabilities providing experiences and a chance to socialise and explore new places. Our activities range from a gentle amble round a country house and gardens, wildlife watching at a nature reserve to axe throwing and abseiling.
As a volunteer you would be helping our members stick together as a group, or carry out the conservation tasks, making sure they are happy and safe.
No experience is required, just a willingness to get stuck in! We will provide all relevant training for the role.
We meet at Thornes Park Nursery, Wakefield at 10am and head out in our accessible minibus to site.
Open Country exists to help people with disabilities to access and enjoy the countryside.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Independent Visitor: Mentor a young person for 2 – 4 hours per month for at least 1 year.
An Independent Visitor is usually an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as going to the cinema, bowling or just walking in the park.
The aim is to provide support, confidence, and fun experiences outside of the young person’s daily environment. If you are looking for a rewarding role with an organisation that makes a difference in young people’s lives, we want to hear from you.
About the role:
•Visit a young person monthly and become a trusted adult friend to them.
•Build a trusting, consistent and positive relationship with the child.
•Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities (e.g., cinema, bowling, museums, nature walks, or simply having a chat) and spend time with them away from their placement.
•Provide visit reports and feedback after visits to help us monitor and improve the service.
In return, we offer a range of benefits including:
• Make a real difference – be a positive, stable influence in a young person’s life.
• Have fun and create memories – enjoy activities while building a meaningful bond.
• Gain valuable experience – develop skills in mentoring, communication and young people’s support.
• Access to training and job opportunities – acquire knowledge and experience in a fun setting.
• Flexible and rewarding – just a few hours a month can change a life!
You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your travel and activity.
Skills:
• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport and identify with young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Communication – Excellent communication skills and good report writing skills.
• Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year.
• DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks, and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
This friendship group was started to provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to make friends, go on monthly trips and overall have a lot of fun. You can help us make that happen!
An opportunity is available to volunteer at a friendship group for adults with learning disabilities No prior experience is required. Enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and a supportive attitude are what matter most.
Projects You May Support
Volunteers can choose to help with one or both projects:
1. Friendship Group
- When: Every Tuesday during term time, 1:30pm–4:30pm
- Where: Canning Town Library
Key Responsibilities:
- Supporting participants during various activities (e.g., reading tasks).
- Encouraging communication and helping build friendships.
- Boosting confidence through positive interaction.
- Assisting with setting up and packing away activities.
- Helping individuals get refreshments.
- Building trust through calm, kind engagement.
- Reporting any concerns, incidents, or disclosures to staff.
2. Joy Hub
- When: Usually the last Tuesday of each month during term time (timings may vary; activities announced up to 4 months in advance).
- Purpose: Monthly free outings planned by the Friendship Group—examples include bowling, cinema, theatre, and museum visits.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensuring everyone feels included.
- Encouraging individuals to participate and build confidence.
- Helping with practical tasks such as navigating meeting points, refreshments, and transitions between activities.
- Building rapport through supportive, calm interactions.
- Reporting any concerns or incidents to staff.
Skills You’ll Develop
- Communication: Adapting language, using non-verbal cues, and practising active listening.
- Empathy & Patience: Understanding diverse needs and responding calmly.
- Teamwork: Working collaboratively with staff and volunteers.
- Leadership: Taking initiative while supporting individuals with varying needs.
- Problem-Solving: Managing challenges in a person-centred environment.
- Composure: Staying calm in potentially challenging situations.
Useful Experience (Not Essential)
- Disability awareness
- Knowledge of safeguarding, confidentiality, and disclosure
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals
- Understanding of neurodiversity and person-centred approaches
Enthusiastic learners are encouraged to apply even without direct experience!
DBS will be provided!
Our mission is to create opportunities for autistic people, those with learning disabilities and their families to thrive in local communities



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Welcoming people out of the cold for a hot drink, or out of the heat for an ice cream, you know exactly what our visitors need as part of their visit to us.
By getting involved, you could…
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Join an enthusiastic team and make new friends
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Support visitors to gain the best from their day
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Learn about our access support equipment and how to welcome support animals in to the café
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Get the low down on the latest Ickworth bake to share with others
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Develop your hospitality skills and put them into practice
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Use your smile and customer service skills, so people feel at home
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Help us raise money so we continue our work looking after special places
What’s involved?
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Meet and greet visitors when they enter the café with a warm smile.
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Help with queue management and direct visitors.
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When visitors leave say goodbye and thank them for their visit.
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Undertake tasks ranging from clearing and preparing tables for the next visitor, to supporting families with pushchairs and wheel chair users navigate the pathways between tables.
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Use your smile and customer service skills to engage with visitors, share knowledge of the estate and generally enhance their visit
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Have a strong working knowledge of our menu and sharing this with visitors.
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Playing your part to continue our work looking after special places
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Learning and developing a range of skills such as exceptional service, access support knowledge and sharing what’s on at Ickworth.
This role will suit you if you are:
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Are cheerful and like being around people – you’ll meet a lot at lunchtime!
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Are looking for a varied role – you’ll be looking after a whole range of visitors
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Are keen to be part of a team
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Are good at keeping places looking tidy and welcoming
Have a keen eye to detail to notice when a visitor needs help
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Love chatting about food, new recipes and where our ingredients come from
We’re Europe’s biggest conservation charity and we look after nature, beauty and history for everyone to enjoy.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our House Experience Volunteers add the sparkle to any visit – giving everyone a warm welcome, bringing stories from Ickworth to life and helping people get the best out of their day.
This role will suit you if you are:
- Warm and friendly.
- Someone with a curious and inquisitive nature, with an ability to engage our visitors, ask questions and facilitate conversations.
- Able to listen thoughtfully and actively.
- Someone with exceptional customer service standards- a desire to put visitors before everything else.
- A good storyteller, with a talent for reading body language and thinking on your feet
- Sensitive to visitor and volunteer needs – working as an effective team member.
- Willing to develop your knowledge of Ickworth, its history and vast collections.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Responding to the diverse needs of visitors, including people with additional access needs.
- Sharing inspirational stories, curious facts and practical information or simply the space for visitors to wander at their own pace.
- Helping visitors to discover more, answering questions and making suggestions so they can enjoy their day, their way.
- Being an ambassador for the whole property and the National Trust. Helping visitors understand the full scope of the offer at Ickworth beyond the house.
- Learning more about Ickworth, so you can share your knowledge and stories of the family and their collections with visitors.
- Responding to the changing needs of Ickworth – supporting ongoing interpretation strategies in the House.
- Supporting with health and safety and evacuation procedures if required.
- Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities or changes to government guidelines
By getting involved you could·
- Become part of a friendly and dedicated team.
Spend time with us at Ickworth, learn about its history, stories and enjoy its beauty. - Meet people from all walks of life
- Find an opportunity to use your existing skills and develop new ones.
Improve your communication skills.
Get a warm glow by knowing you have made a difference to someone’s day out with us.
You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, for ever.
All National Trust volunteers will be asked to
- Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us.
- Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
- Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity.
We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:
- Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely
- Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
- Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website
Skills acquired: Adaptability, Communication Skills, Community Development, Customer Service, Event Support, Exhibition Arts, Fundraising, Interpersonal Skills, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Teamwork, Visual Arts
We’re Europe’s biggest conservation charity and we look after nature, beauty and history for everyone to enjoy.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
About us:
Write Back is a young charity helping marginalised young people develop their self-esteem, literacy and creativity through storytelling. Currently based in Barking & Dagenham, since 2020 we have run storytelling programmes for more than 200 young people, helping them tell their stories and printing and celebrating their work. 9 out of 10 participants on our programmes see significant improvements in their self-esteem, and in our short period of operations, we have published over 20 anthologies of young writers’ work, exploring themes like immigration, identity and social isolation.
What we do:
We run 10-week long storytelling programmes in Barking and Dagenham, east London, to build self-esteem among young people aged 13-16. In each session we do confidence building activities, engage with the writing of a young author and then develop the participating young people’s own stories. The 10-week project involves developing their ideas individually and collectively and culminates with the publication of their work, including in books, local museum exhibitions and much more.
We are working with six secondary schools in Barking and Dagenham, who have been referring young people to our programmes or inviting us into their premises to run bespoke programmes for selected students Barking and Dagenham is the 9th most deprived local authority in the country and 37% of the young people and children live in poverty. Despite this recent research shows that Barking and Dagenham has the joint fewest charities per head in the country.
About the role:
Write Back has grown considerably since its founding five years ago. Now with paid part-time staff, strong local networks, secure medium-term funding and proof of impact, we are entering a new phase of organisational growth.
To oversee this, we are looking for a new Chair of Trustees to oversee a significant period of strategic choices. We are looking for someone who wants to get closely involved in setting the strategy, direction and priorities of Write Back as we transition from new ‘start-up’ into a more established charity. As a small charity, the Chair will be someone who can think ‘big picture’ but also is happy to get involved with day-to-day matters when necessary - securing new funding, overseeing our staffing model, building networks with other organisations and more. We are therefore looking for an individual with:
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Experience of organisational governance (ideally experience being on a board of trustees before).
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Experience in a leadership role in a growing organisation (either teams/departments or the whole organisation).
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Strong fundraising and networking skills and experience.
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Knowledge and expertise of the charity sector.
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A strong commitment to the work of Write Back and empowering young people.
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The passion and enthusiasm to throw themselves into a new and exciting charity for young people to help us in our next phase of growth.
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The ability and experience of working at a strategic level, providing expert oversight, advice and guidance, but willing to get involved day-to-day where necessary.
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The skills and temperament to collaborate effectively in a small, growing organisation.
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A good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of charity trusteeship and an appreciation of the personal implications.
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A demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity.
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Experience in the education sector, or in legal, HR or other operational or governance matters, is a plus but not required.
Core requirements:
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This is a voluntary unpaid role, for which any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
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Your initial term will be for 2 years, with the possibility of renewal.
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Attendance at trustee meetings every two months (either online or in person, for roughly 90 minutes), as well as preparation for these meetings and any follow-up tasks.
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Working with the Director and the Treasurer, overseeing all governance, financial and operational matters and reporting requirements as necessary.
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Fulfilling any or all other requirements for trustees as outlined by the Charity Commission.
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We estimate the time commitment to be no more than two days per month in total.
To apply, please send a CV and short covering letter outlining why you’d like to become Chair of Trustees of Write Back by 11pm, Sunday 15 February via the Charity Job portal.



