Volunteering
Volunteering at Avoncroft
Volunteers assist the Museum in many ways, from stewarding our furnished buildings and exhibitions during opening hours to assisting with the Museum administration.
Volunteers also help during our special events and activities, as well as helping with maintenance, conservation and gardening.
We are always keen to attract new volunteers. We offer full training and support, out of pocket expenses and discounts on refreshments in our Edwardian Tearoom.
Individual volunteering
We have a number of opportunities available for people who would like to volunteer as an individual. If you are interested in any of the roles below please contact us on officemanager@avoncroft.org.uk and we will arrange for you to attend an induction.
We are unable to take volunteers under 16 years of age, and there are some restrictions on volunteers aged between 16-18 years old. Please advise us if you are a younger person seeking to volunteer when you contact us.
Windmill Guide
Avoncroft Museum is looking to recruit a number of building guides to interpret and care for the Windmill. Duties will include the interpretation, cleaning and security of the building and we are hoping to attract applicants who are able to work as positive ambassadors for the museum who will provide a warm welcome and an enjoyable and informative visit for our customers. It is important that applicants can balance strong customer care skills with the care and security of the building and museum collection within it. This is a working exhibit and there will be opportunities to become involved in milling within the windmill.
The following vacancies are currently available:
Monday – 10.30am until 5.00pm (July and August only)
Saturday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (All year round)
Sunday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (All year round/ except for the first Sunday of each month)
Prefab Guide
Avoncroft Museum is looking to recruit a number of building guides to interpret and care for the Prefab. Duties will include the interpretation, cleaning and security of this post war building and we are hoping to attract applicants who are able to work as positive ambassadors for the museum who will provide a warm welcome and an enjoyable and informative visit for our customers. It is important that applicants can balance strong customer care skills with the care and security of the building and museum collection within it.
The following vacancies are currently available:
Wednesday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (April to October)
Thursday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (April to October)
Friday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (April to October)
Saturday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (All year round)
Sunday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (All year round)
Toll House Guide
Avoncroft Museum is looking to recruit a number of building guides to interpret and care for the Tollhouse. Duties will include the interpretation, cleaning and security of this Victorian building and we are hoping to attract applicants who are able to work as positive ambassadors for the museum who will provide a warm welcome and an enjoyable and informative visit for our customers. It is important that applicants can balance strong customer care skills with the care and security of the building and museum collection within it.
The following vacancies are currently available:
Tuesday – 10.30am – 4.00pm/5.00pm (April to October)
Wednesday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (April to October)
Thursday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (April to October)
Friday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (April to October)
Saturday – 10.30 until 4.00pm/5.00pm (All year round)
Buildings Researchers
Avoncroft Museum is looking to recruit a number of buildings researchers to assess current research and take forward our understanding of the buildings that we care for. It is anticipated that each volunteer will concentrate on only one building. The culmination of the project will be the production of copy for the Museum’s new guidebook, building interpretation panel and volunteer interpretation handbook. We anticipate that the work will take place in a number of locations including the museum archive, relevant record offices and possibly some home based research by those who have access to the internet.
The following vacancies are currently available:
Building Researcher / Hill End Cottage – Friday 10.30am until 4.00pm
Gardening Volunteers
Avoncroft is looking for a number of people to help maintain the Museum’s grounds and gardens. We are currently planting new Victorian and World War 2 gardens and planning a Tudor garden. We have recently adopted a wildflower meadow and will be creating a wildlife pond in the Orchard. Duties would include digging, mowing, planting and lifting under the guidance of our Gardener. All applicants should be physically fit to carry out the required duties.
The following vacancies are available:
Thursday – 10.30am – 4.00pm (All year round)
Friday – 10.30am – 4.00pm (All year round)
Maintenance Volunteers
Avoncroft is looking for people to help maintain the Museum’s buildings and services. Duties include painting, digging, woodworking and lifting. Those with plumbing and electrical skills would be very welcome. All applicants should be physically fit to carry out the required duties.
The following vacancies are available:
Wednesday – 10.30am – 4.00pm
Family Activities
Our Family Activities volunteers make the events and activities that the museum runs possible – without them, there would be no castle building, bug hunting, code cracking or anything else. They work directly with the public, helping to make their day out at Avoncroft the best it can be.
The role includes preparation for events and presence at events to help run and supervise activities. This will include; preparing materials for craft activities (at the museum or at home), helping to develop activities, setting up activities on site before an event and setting down afterwards, delivering events and activities to family groups, contributing to events evaluation, working with the public on site, working with other volunteers, working with the Family Activities Officer and events staff.
Family activities role would suit those who can volunteer as and when at weekends.
Group Volunteering
Avoncroft Museum has a number of opportunities for groups up to 30 people who would like to undertake a voluntary project. This can be a single day volunteering or a more regular arrangement. The activities are fully risk assessed and insured.
Examples of projects are:
- Creating raised gardening beds so we can grow produce to use in our Edwardian Tea Room
- Creating a new wildlife pond
- Dry stone walling
- Planting and weeding the Museum’s period gardens
If your group is interested in volunteering please contact us on officemanager@avoncroft.org.uk
