Sewerby Hall and Gardens are looking for more heritage volunteers, to add to the experience of visitors to the iconic venue. The house is located on a stunning clifftop near Bridlington, and the Museums team are looking for volunteers to help with costumed interpretation, children’s activities, and workshops for schools.
Education officer Robert Chester said: “Our amazing team of volunteers really bring the place to life – they are the life and soul of the house. But we do need additional enthusiastic volunteers to join the team.”
Some volunteers use their passion for costume to demonstrate historical clothing to visitors, or to make costumes for display. Others give tours of the house or spend time researching various aspects of the hall’s past.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, the heritage volunteers can often be seen, in costume, chatting to visitors and showcasing different aspects of Edwardian life, recreating the stories of people who lived and worked in the house in the past.
A recent exhibition about the history of underwear was designed, researched and co-curated by the volunteers, alongside the Sewerby Hall curator.
The volunteers also support the running of school workshops during term time, which cover a range of different topics from Edwardian life to Amy Johnson, prehistory, Anglo Saxons, and seaside holidays in the past.
Robert Chester added: “Our school workshops have become even more popular this year and it would be great to have more volunteers to support us in delivering an excellent experience for children and young people, some of whom travel quite a distance to visit us.”
Recent quotes from members of the volunteer team include:
“We have so much fun on our volunteering days and never stop laughing!”
“We meet such lovely and interesting people, often with such tales to tell, and we learn ourselves such a lot from them”
“When I am in my costume, I ‘feel the part’ and it adds to the tour guide experience, giving me the confidence to speak to groups of visitors. I amaze myself at how much information about the house and family that my brain retains, which is very important for someone my age!”
There is a flexible approach to how much time each volunteer will spend on site, from regular dressing up days between March and September to school workshops during term time, family events such as Yorkshire Day, and the potential to get involved in a range of other projects.
There are also four volunteer team meetings a year, including a Christmas party; and enrolled volunteers receive a Northern Museums Volunteer Pass to other participating museums across the North of England. They also benefit from relevant training and being part of a fun, inclusive community.
Volunteers must be aged over 18, and will need to supply details of two referees. The application form can be downloaded from the Sewerby Hall and Gardens website: www.sewerbyhall.co.uk or hard copies are available at the Welcome Centre. After applying, selected applicants will be interviewed and will have a chance to look around the venue.
Said Robert Chester: “For some volunteers, the role can act as a key part of their retirement. For others who want a career in museums, education, or the heritage sector, volunteering is a great way to gain experience, and it can be a valuable addition to the CV of people looking to return to work.
“I am really looking forward to welcoming more volunteers to our delightful team, and I would encourage anybody interested to apply.”
