Welcome to the Volunteering Opportunities page for Kelmscott Manor. Here you can learn about the roles we currently have available using the links below for more information. When you're ready to apply, use the link on the right hand side to fill out an application form.
Volunteer recruitment is currently paused as we come to the end of our open season, and will resume again in January 2025. If you'd like to put on our volunteer list, please fill out an application form and we'll be in touch in early 2025.
There's lots of reasons to get involved with volunteering. Whether it's building a skill, utilising an existing talent, having a go at something new, gaining experience, contributing to a special project, meeting new people or something else we'd love to have you join our team. We are as flexible as possible with volunteering so have no minimum hours required and all you need is a willingness to get stuck in as we provide all necessary training, knowledge and ongoing support. We currently welcome volunteers over the age of 14 and are happy to provide references after completing a minimum number of shifts.
Steps in the Application Process
You can click on the image to enlarge
Kelmscott Manor has a large volunteer team that enable us to welcome visitors during the open season (April-October) and fulfil a variety of important roles on site. Currently our House Volunteers act as Room Stewards and Lunch Relief
We are as flexible as possible with volunteering so have no minimum hours required and all you need is a willingness to get stuck in as we provide all necessary training, knowledge and ongoing support. Volunteers are also welcome to do full days, part days or lunch cover to fit their own schedule.
As a House Volunteer you will:
You don't need any prior experience or knowledge, all we ask is that you are willing to learn and get stuck in! No matter where you are on site, ensuring our visitors have the best experience possible is your top priority and you'll be fully supported by staff and a large existing volunteer team to get the most out of your time with us.
If you have any questions about this role before applying, please contact carriemarks@kelmscottmanor.org.uk
Learning Volunteers assist the Learning and Outreach Officer with a range of sessions including schools and community groups. Volunteers are integral to the running of the Learning Programme, enabling Kelmscott to provide more opportunities for Learning visits and helping participants to have an engaging and enjoyable experience.
Please be aware this role may require a basic DBS check paid for by Kelmscott Manor.
As a Learning Volunteer you will:
You don't need any prior experience or knowledge, all we ask is that you are willing to learn and get stuck in! No matter where you are on site, ensuring our visitors have the best experience possible is your top priority and you'll be fully supported by staff and a large existing volunteer team to get the most out of your time with us.
If you have any questions about this role before applying, please contact carriemarks@kelmscottmanor.org.uk
Front of House Volunteers can assist with two roles - Ticket Assistants and Welcome Hosts.
Ticket Assistants are one of the first faces visitors will see when arriving at the Manor. As a Ticket Assistant, you will be stationed in the ticket hut in the Entrance Barn are key to providing an excellent visitor experience by making visitors feel welcome, orientating them and providing a smooth transaction experience.
Welcome Hosts are the first faces visitors will see when arriving at the Manor. Welcome Hosts are stationed in the Entrance Barn and are key to providing an excellent visitor experience by making visitors feel welcome, orientating them and thanking them when leaving.
As a part of the Front of House team, you will:
You don't need any prior experience or knowledge, all we ask is that you are willing to learn and get stuck in! No matter where you are on site, ensuring our visitors have the best experience possible is your top priority and you'll be fully supported by staff and a large existing volunteer team to get the most out of your time with us.
If you have any questions about this role before applying, please contact carriemarks@kelmscottmanor.org.uk
Activity Volunteers can assist with three roles - Drop-In Activities, Printing Press Operator and Storyteller.
Drop-In Activity volunteers facilitate various onsite drop-in activities for visitors to take part in. This could range from badge making to den building to weaving. Activity volunteers are key to helping Kelmscott Manor deliver it’s National Heritage Lottery Fund activity plan, helping visitors to engage more deeply with Kelmscott’s history by facilitating a range of activities for our visitors, regardless of their age and ability.
The Volunteer Printing Press Operator demonstrates various printing techniques using the press. They engage with a wide range of audiences including families and adult visitors, highlighting the history of the press and its connection to William Morris and Kelmscott. There will be opportunities for trained Volunteer Printing Press Operators to lead participatory demonstrations and workshops in which they will support visitors to use the press.
Storyteller volunteers facilitate story sessions for family visitors. Story sessions aim to be engaging for children ranging in age from 1 – 10 years old with some participatory elements. Storytellers are key to helping Kelmscott Manor deliver it’s National Heritage Lottery Fund activity plan by facilitating opportunities for families to engage more deeply with Kelmscott’s history.
As a part of the Activities team, you will:
You don't need any prior experience or knowledge, all we ask is that you are willing to learn and get stuck in! No matter where you are on site, ensuring our visitors have the best experience possible is your top priority and you'll be fully supported by staff and a large existing volunteer team to get the most out of your time with us.
If you have any questions about this role before applying, please contact carriemarks@kelmscottmanor.org.uk
The Environmental Steward will support the Grounds and Maintenance team with the implementation of the Garden Management Plan and year-round care of the wider Kelmscott Landscape. Environmental Stewards will help us to better understand the ecology of Kelmscott’s landscape through monitoring and recording changes throughout the year. They will also help facilitate garden activities for visitors, support the general upkeep of the Manor’s gardens and champion our green spaces.
Garden activities are usually project based and come in the form of micro-volunteering opportunities rather than regular slots.
You don't need any prior experience or knowledge, all we ask is that you are willing to learn and get stuck in! No matter where you are on site, ensuring our visitors have the best experience possible is your top priority and you'll be fully supported by staff and a large existing volunteer team to get the most out of your time with us.
If you have any questions about this role before applying, please contact carriemarks@kelmscottmanor.org.uk
Young Volunteers have the opportunity to engage visitors in a range of areas at the Manor including:
Room Stewards: Through engaging with visitors and informing them about the unique collection, Room Stewards are central to ensuring a high-quality visitor experience and the protection of the collection while visitors are on site.
Welcome Host: Welcome Hosts are one of the first faces visitors will see when arriving at the Manor. Welcome Hosts are stationed in the Entrance Barn and are key to providing an excellent visitor experience by making visitors feel welcome, orientating them and thanking them when leaving.
Ticket Assistant: Ticket Assistants are one of the first faces visitors see when arriving at the Manor. As a Ticket Assistant, you will be stationed in the ticket hut in the Entrance Barn and are key to providing an excellent visitor experience by making visitors feel welcome, orientating them and providing a smooth transaction experience for pre-booked tickets.
Shop Assistant: Shop Assistants help with the day-to-day duties of the shop including welcoming visitors in, refilling stock on the shelves, and general tidying of the shop floor.
Environmental Steward: The Environmental Steward supports the Grounds and Maintenance team with the implementation of the Garden Management Plan and year-round care of the wider Kelmscott Landscape. Environmental Stewards help us better understand the ecology of Kelmscott’s landscape through monitoring and recording changes throughout the year. They also help facilitate garden activities for visitors, support the general upkeep of the Manor’s gardens and champion our green spaces.
Young Volunteer sessions are half day slots.
You don't need any prior experience or knowledge, all we ask is that you are willing to learn and get stuck in! No matter where you are on site, ensuring our visitors have the best experience possible is your top priority and you'll be fully supported by staff and a large existing volunteer team to get the most out of your time with us.
If you have any questions about this role before applying, please contact carriemarks@kelmscottmanor.org.uk
Kelmscott Manor
Described as a ‘Heaven on Earth’, Kelmscott Manor was the country retreat of renowned writer, designer and activist, William Morris and his family. Morris loved the Manor house and adjoining farm buildings as a work of true craftmanship, totally unspoilt and unaltered, and in harmony with the surrounding countryside. Visitors today can still experience the beauty and seclusion that inspired many of William Morris’s most important designs and writings as well as influencing his ideas on conservation for both the built and natural environments.
Our Volunteers
Kelmscott has a large volunteer team that enable us to welcome visitors during the open season (April-October) and fulfil a variety of important roles on site. The Volunteers have a Volunteer Committee to assist with communication between volunteers and staff. There are also lots of perks to being a volunteer including a discount in the shop, free visits for yourself and social gatherings throughout the year.
Front lawn and entrance of Kelmscott Manor
