EDUCATION OFFICER
The Spike is an Edwardian vagrant’s hostel in Guildford. It was part of a Victorian Workhouse.
Now renovated, we offer educational programmes to school groups of all ages using interactive heritage packages.
The role of volunteer Education Officer is to organise and deliver these programmes developing partnerships with sectors of the community, schools and colleges.
We are looking for a good communicator with an interest in social history, old buildings and their uses and local heritage.
You will be given training to assist you to develop and expand your own skills. Further training courses are available including First Aid and Fire Safety.
We provide refreshments, free parking an out of pocket expenses
Hours are fully negotiable.
If you are interested or have any queries please click on the 'Sign Up' button
Mission Statement
The Spike Heritage Centre is one of the few buildings remaining from Guildford's Workhouse in the Poor Law era, which housed the forgotten classes of Victorian England. The Vagrants and Casual Ward, known as The Spike was built in 1906 to house vagrants and low paid workers. After the Poor Laws ended in 1929, it continued as a night hostel until the mid 1960s. The NHS took over the site becoming St Lukes Hospital, operational until the mid 1990s when the new Royal Surrey hospital was opened. The majority of the workhouse site was redeveloped, but due to the efforts of local campaigners, the Casual Ward was saved and remains as a historic building with lots of stories to tell. Individual visitors and groups are welcome to explore this unique building with guides providing the insight about how the poor were treated in a bygone age.
