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 'expression of interest' form.
There's lots of reasons to get involved with volunteering:
We are as flexible as possible with volunteering. We do not have a minimum hours requirement so you can volunteer as frequently as you like. We also offer full and half day volunteering opportunities. All you need is a willingness to get stuck in as we provide all necessary training, knowledge and ongoing support. We welcome volunteers over the age of 14.
Steps in the Application Process
If you have any questions about the roles before applying, please contact Katy, Visitor & Volunteer Manager:
katyleverett@kelmscottmanor.org.uk
Kelmscott Manor has a large volunteer team that enable us to welcome visitors during the open season (April-October). Our Room Steward volunteers are integral to bringing Kelmscott Manor's rich history alive for our visitors, sharing their knowledge and engaging with our visitors whilst they are in the house.
We are as flexible as possible with volunteering. We offer morning, afternoon, lunch time and all day shifts and have no minimum hours required, so you can volunteer as frequently as you like. 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:
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:
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 and 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:
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 book mark making to weaving to cardboard modelling. Activity volunteers help 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.
As a part of the Activities team, you will:
The Environmental Steward 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 help us to 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.
Garden activities are usually project based and come in the form of micro-volunteering opportunities rather than regular slots.
As a part of the Activities team, you will:
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.
As part of the Young Volunteer team and depending on while role(s) you choose, you will:
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. Our volunteers are integral to bringing Kelmscott Manor’s rich history alive for our visitors, whether that is through engaging with our visitors in the house as room stewards, delivering a Morris-inspired creative workshop, or helping to conserve the historic natural environment that is Kelmscott Manor’s estate. 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
