Become a Heritage Hero: Volunteer at Our Historic Houses!

Do you have a passion for history, arts and crafts and a desire to connect with your community? We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our team and help bring the stories of our beautiful heritage houses to life. Whether you enjoy greeting visitors, leading tours, assisting with special events, engaging in front-of-house operations, or contributing to specialised committees or task groups, there's a place for you!

What you’ll gain:

• Make a difference and connect with your community: Play a vital role in preserving and sharing the heritage of the London Borough of Sutton, sharing your knowledge of and enthusiasm for local history with visitors from all walks of life
• Learn and grow: Enhance your knowledge of history, community engagement, and heritage, training and developing new skills to improve your CV and future job prospects
• Be part of a team: Join a friendly and supportive volunteer community, supported by the experienced Heritage Team
• Enjoy unique experiences: Participate in special events and behind-the-scenes activities

Where you’ll be:

Volunteers can choose to volunteer at any of our three historic heritage houses or to work agilely across two or more sites.

Whitehall Historic House, Whitehall Historic House, 1 Malden Rd, Cheam, SM3 8QD: Built around 1500, Whitehall is a Grade II* listed Tudor house in the heart of Cheam Village. It is owned and managed by the London Borough of Sutton, which opened it as a local museum in 1978 following a campaign by the community. The construction of Whitehall, as well as the story of its use and occupants through time, offers unique insights into the past.

Honeywood Museum, Honeywood Walk, Carshalton, SM5 3NX: Overlooking Carshalton Ponds, this Grade II listed building lets visitors step into the past and see for themselves how the residents of Honeywood would have lived while learning about the local area.

Little Holland House, 40 Beeches Avenue, Carshalton, SM5 3LW: A unique Arts & Crafts style house in Carshalton Beeches designed and built by Frank Dickinson, this Grade II listed house shares the special story of the Dickinson family surrounded by their carefully crafted artworks and furnishings.

What you’ll do:

Our volunteers are encouraged to support with a range of general tasks as well as joining at least one of our committee or task groups specific to their personal interests and skills. Training will be provided where appropriate.

General Tasks – These tasks help us keep our houses open and engaging for our visitors and may include:

• Prepare the building for opening to the public (AM volunteers) and/or support closing up procedures (PM volunteers)
• Provide a warm welcome to all visitors
• Answer visitor enquiries and provide excellent customer service
• Process merchandise and activity sales using the on-site card reader
• Assist with the setup and execution of events and activities.
• Contribute to the upkeep and presentation of the houses.
• Follow and adhere to health and safety procedures.
• Safeguard the property and the objects within it.

Task Groups – smaller task groups enable our volunteers to feel more connected with all our houses have to offer, and bring their unique perspective to our offer. Participating in a task group might mean corresponding or meeting in smaller groups with other volunteers:

• Events & Activities: Planning and delivering engaging programmes of walks, talks, trails, and activities for visitors, and coordinating with schools and community groups, delivering informative and engaging tours
• Exhibitions & Displays: Assisting with research, object handling, installation, and development of interpretive materials for exhibitions and displays, including seasonal decor
• Digital Content & Communications: Creating and sharing digital content, contributing to blogs and social media, and designing promotional materials
• Gardening & Grounds Maintenance: Maintaining the gardens and grounds, including planting and weeding
• Conservation & Collections Care: Assisting with basic object care tasks, environmental monitoring, inventory management, and collections research.

When you’ll do it:

Whitehall Historic House: Thursday-Friday 9:45-13:00 or 13:00-16:15, Saturdays: shift 1 - 11:45-14:00 / shift 2 - 14:00-16:15

Honeywood Museum: Thursday-Saturday: shift 1 - 09.30-12:00 / shift 2 - 12:00-14:30 / shift 3 - 14:30-17:15

Little Holland House: Friday gardening (weather dependent) 09:30-12:30; First Sunday of the Month house opening: shift 1 - 10:45-13:45; shift 2 - 13:45-17:15

About you:

We welcome volunteers from all walks of life to our service and training is provided as relevant to specific tasks, but in general, we’re looking for volunteers with:

• Good communication skills and enjoy meeting members of the public of all ages and backgrounds
• The ability to work well as part of a team.
• Have a warm, polite, enthusiastic and friendly manner
• Have an interest in historic houses, local history, and assisting with events and activities

If you're passionate about heritage and eager to contribute to your community, we'd love to hear from you! Contact us today to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how you can get involved.

Sutton Council’s Cultural Services are always looking into more ways we can help the public and their computer skills. Through a series of programs, we aim to make our community more digitally inclusive, providing support and knowledge to those who find difficulty in the everyday systems that most take for granted. We also promote digital and health literacy within the borough. 

Skills Required

• Have a good command of basic IT skills

• Familiar with popular apps/software such as Email, Internet browsing, Microsoft Office 

• Have excellent communication skills 

• Confidence to talk to people of all ages and backgrounds

• Are patient and attentive to people’s needs 

• Are understanding and respectful 

• Are able to express professional terminology in simple terms

• Helping to promote the NHS app, Sutton Information Hub, and other health literary offers within the borough

Main Tasks

• Advising users on beginner digital queries

• Providing instruction to users in line with digital exercises

• Leading small groups of users in preset digital exercises 

• Assisting users to navigate computers, smart devices, and/or internet sites 

• Supporting some users to develop basic IT skills 

• Helping to facilitate sessions focused on digital instruction

• Helping to develop activities for sessions focused on digital instruction 

• Helping to promote the sessions

Benefits

• Opportunities to meet new people and be part of our friendly team

• A chance to share your knowledge of digital apps/software with those who would have a lot less knowledge than you

• Develop new skills in communication and leadership

• Improve your CV and future job prospects

• Access to tea & coffee refreshments

• Invitation to regular volunteer social get-togethers

When:

Times and dates to be agreed, subject to availability.

Where:

Location within Sutton to be agreed, subject to availability. 

Apply via the website.

https://www.sutton.gov.uk/volunteers

Purpose of the Role:

This role is all about making a difference in your local library during self-service hours—when no staff are on site. As a volunteer, you’ll be a friendly and reassuring presence, helping customers find what they need, answering simple questions, and making sure the library stays a welcoming, safe, and accessible space for everyone.

By giving a bit of your time, you’ll play a key part in keeping Sutton’s libraries open and thriving—ensuring that the community can continue to enjoy vital resources, services, and a space to learn, connect and explore.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide a friendly and approachable presence in the library during self-service hours.

• Support customers with:
  
  

  • Using self-service machines to borrow, return, and renew items.

  • Logging in to and using public computers, printing and accessing free Wi-Fi.

  • Finding books or resources using the online catalogue.

  • Answering basic questions about library services and facilities.
    
    

• Refer more complex queries to staff using designated methods.

• Help to maintain a welcoming and safe space.

• Promote awareness of upcoming Cultural Services events or services when appropriate.

• Record any incidents or issues and report them according to guidance.

• Represent Sutton’s Cultural Services in a professional and supportive way.

• Volunteers are never expected to handle emergencies or challenging situations alone. A clear support system and remote staff contact are in place.

What We’re Looking For:

• A welcoming and helpful attitude.

• Confidence working independently and engaging with members of the public.

• Basic IT skills and willingness to learn library applications.

• Reliability and good communication skills.

• Willingness to follow procedures and attend initial training.

What We Offer:

• Full training for the role

• Ongoing support from Sutton Libraries staff and the Volunteer Coordinator.

• A chance to meet new people and give back to the local community.

• The opportunity to gain valuable experience in a public service environment.

Availability

Volunteer hours are flexible and subject to mutual agreement. The designated days and library sites available for this role are listed below.

• Cheam Library: Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays

• Circle Library: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

• Library at the Phoenix Centre: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays

• Library at the Sutton Life Centre: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays

• Library at the Westcroft Centre: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays

• Wallington Library: Mondays and Sundays

Worcester Park Library: Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays

Little Holland House is a unique Arts & Crafts style house in Carshalton Beeches. It was designed and built by Frank Dickinson, between 1902 and 1904, who lived there with his wife Florence and their two children. It is now owned and opened to the public by the London Borough of Sutton.

The garden is integral to the history and story of the house and the Dickinson family, with some original planting still very much growing and some which has been replanted over the years to referencing the Dickinson's story - like the pear tree Frank and Florence received as a wedding gift in 1904, planted at a slight angle just as Frank had wanted.

We are looking for volunteers to help us keep the history and spirit of the Dickinson garden alive, as we share the house and garden with the community on our public open days.

Main tasks:

We are looking for volunteers to assist us in clearing and replanting the garden, which will involve a range of tasks including:

• Weeding, pruning and general garden maintenance.
• Assisting with replanting and a chance to be involved with research on a historic garden
• Helping to prepare the garden for open days

Skills required:

You don’t need to be an expert but some gardening experience would be useful

• Enthusiasm for helping to care for a local history and heritage interest garden
• Interest in the local area and its history
• A proactive and positive attitude
• You should be physically fit and able to lift, bend and kneel

When:

The amount of work will vary with the seasons but approximately 2-3 hours per week on a Friday morning.

Where:

Little Holland House, 40 Beeches Avenue, Carshalton SM5 3LW.

Benefits to you:

• Opportunities to meet new people and be part of our friendly team
• Sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm to make a difference to our visitors
• Gain a sense of pride and satisfaction from helping restore an important local garden
• Help to preserve and promote local heritage. Support offered: We are fully committed to ensuring that volunteers have a positive experience and are fully supported. You will receive training and induction for this role, and ongoing support from a member of the museum staff.
• Personal wellbeing through physical activity, being outside and connecting with others
  Tea, coffee (or similar) and biscuits / cake

Support offered:
We are fully committed to ensuring that volunteers have a positive experience and are fully supported. You will receive training and induction for this role, and ongoing support from a member of the Sutton Cultural Services Heritage team. All tools and equipment will be provided.

Availability:

The volunteer garden team currently meet on site at Little Holland House on Friday mornings. This may change in the future or another additional morning may be added. Therefore if you are interested but are not currently able to commit to Fridays, express your interest and we can keep you informed.

Are you looking for an amazing opportunity to lead one of our popular rhymetimes? Do you want to be a Rhymetime Leader? Join us!

We have an amazing opportunity for enthusiastic volunteers to lead our award-winning rhymetimes. Rhymetimes at Sutton Libraries are a great way for families to bring their children and engage with songs and stories, meet other parents, and use the services within our libraries. Rhymetimes are an important part of our service, as they always guarantee to put a smile on everyone's face!

Our Rhymetime Leaders will be trained to a high level to lead our volunteers. All of our volunteers are supported by other volunteers and the library staff. 

*If you are interested in leading a dual language, SEND, or a specialised rhymetime or storytime, we also welcome your applicantion.*

The tasks our Rhymetime Leaders will do include: 

• Helping to set up and clear away the sessions
• Welcome families and show them to the allocated area
• Lead the rhymetime sessions with nursery rhymes and stories
• Create a positive environment for all visitors
• Promote the services the library has to offer and encourage attendees to use the library

Why should you become a Rhymetime Leader?

• You will meet new people
• Improve your CV
• Improve skills such as communication and leadership skills
• You will be in a safe environment where you will be supported by a welcoming team
• The sessions are run during school hours

If you would like to be a Rhymetime Leader with us, you will be:

• Confident to perform rhymetime sessions in front of families (this could be in front of small or large audiences)
• Interested in leading activities with children
• Friendly and approachable
• Organised
• Punctual and reliable
• Have a positive attitude towards all

Sites

Sutton Central Library: Mondays & Thursdays - 11am to 12pm

Wallington Library: Tuesdays & Fridays - 10:30am to 11:30am

Cheam Library: Wednesdays: 9:45am to 11:30am

Library @ The Life Centre: Wednesdays & Fridays - 10:15am to 11:15am

Library @ The Phoenix Centre: Mondays - 10:30am to 11:30am

Library @ The Westcroft Centre: Wednesdays & Fridays - 10:30am to 11:30am

Worcester Park library: Fridays - 9:45am to 10:45am or 10:45am to 11:45am

Book Shelving Assistant

We welcome many customers to our Central and Branch Libraries every week who are keen to use and browse through our book stock.  It is therefore essential that we keep the library shelves and book stock and displays as tidy and presentable as possible. We require volunteers to assist with returning books to the shelves and ensuring that they are filed correctly. We are seeking volunteers who have a passion for books and who would enjoy supporting their local community.

Main tasks: (some training will be provided)  

• File returned books correctly either alphabetically or numerically onto the shelves

• Assist with creating and/or keeping book displays tidy

• Returning incorrectly placed books to the correct shelving section

• Answer customer enquiries or sign post customers to the correct member of staff who can assist them.

• Provide general support to customers in accessing information

Skills Required

• We are looking for someone who is methodical and organised and conscientious with good interpersonal skills

• Need to have a patient, calm and helpful manner if assisting with customer enquiries

• Able to reach the high and low shelves to enable correct placing of books

• Proactive approach to assist with any general tasks that may need completing on the library floor

• Ability to file alphabetically and numerically

• Volunteer as part of a friendly team

When: One or two  session per week - hours and times to be agreed with the individual

Where: Based at Sutton Central Library or one of our Branch Libraries to be discussed

Benefits to you:

• A chance to meet new people and learn new skills

• Enjoy being part of a friendly team of volunteers

• Make a difference to your local community

• Enhance your CV and future job prospects

Role available in the following

- Cheam Library

- Circle Library

- Library at the Phoenix Centre

- Library at the Sutton Life Centre

- Library at the Westcroft Centre

- Worcester Park Library

Our Rhymetime Sessions encourage and develop interaction, language and listening skills in 0-3 year olds. We are looking for a volunteer who could help bring songs and rhymes to life for the children and encourage social and language skills. This is a fun and rewarding volunteering role.

Main Tasks

• To support a member of our library team to set up the space and select the toys and books for the Rhymetime Session.
• This is a physical task which includes setting out 30 chairs and stacking them at the end of the session and also includes moving tables and lifting boxes of toys and equipment for the session.
• Support the Rhymetime leader to encourage the children and families to join in the activities and most importantly have fun.
• To learn the actions and words to a number of songs and rhymes to share with the Rhymetime participants.
• At the end of the session you would help out clearing the space as detailed above.

Skills Required

• The ability to engage with families and young children in a positive and friendly manner.
• The ability to learn a number of songs and actions to then share with others.
• A confident manner and the willingness to assist families and children.
• The willingness to help lift and carry toys and equipment to help set up and clear away the space for the session.
• Reliable and able to make a regular commitment to this weekly role.

When:

Various times and dates available - to be agreed with the volunteer.

Where:

Various libraries deliver this session - to be agreed with the volunteer.

Benefits to you: 

• Opportunities to meet new people
• Learn new and enhance current skills working with young children
• Improve your CV and future job prospects;
• Gain a sense of pride and satisfaction from helping others in your local community

Roles available at the following sites:

- Sutton Central Library: Monday & Wednesday Morning 

- Wallington: Friday Morning 

- Cheam Library: Wednesday Morning 

- Worcester Park Library: Friday Morning 

- Circle Library: Friday Morning

- Library at the Phoenix Centre: Tuesday Morning 

- Library at the Westcroft Centre: Wednesday Morning 

- Library at the Sutton Life Centre: Wednesday Morning

The service consists of 8 libraries and 3 heritage houses across the borough.

In summer 2026, Cultural Services will be producing Summer in Sutton - a
free events and activities programme for primary school aged children in the
borough, which aims to support their wellbeing and foster a love of reading.

As part of the programme, we’ll be commissioning 22 free events that meet
the project's aims, to be led by local facilitators in the performing and creative
arts, as well as sports and physical activity.

We’re looking for a small number
of youth volunteers (aged 14 - 17) and adult volunteers (18+) to be part of a
panel that shapes this programme. The panel will also include members of
Cultural Services staff.

To find out more about the role and to view the role profile, click here.