BE A VOLUNTEER

Do you have an interest in Fine Arts, Gardening, Exotic Birds, On Site Fundraising and keen to be involved in a lively environment. Then why not consider being part of the volunteer team at Waddesdon Manor?

Volunteer Opportunities
(Training is provided where necessary)

Car Park Attendants: We are looking for people to assist our regular car parkers. This is a fun role for anyone who likes helping the public. It will involve advising visitors where best to park, directing them to disabled parking, other directions and advice as required. Hours: 12.00-3.00

Ticket Office Assistant: This role involves being part of a team selling tickets and guidebooks for the House, using a computerised till. The volunteer will be handling money and will cash-up at the end of each day. They will also be providing a focal point for information about the property and selling the benefits of National Trust membership. It would suit someone best who is friendly and approachable, literate and numerate, with some computer skills. Full training will be given on the till system and on the products for sale. Days and hours required: Wednesday-Sunday 10.00 to 4.00 (latest), any combination of these days.

Room Wardens: Provide security and protection for the contents of your assigned room; supervise visitor safety in an emergency and provide a friendly, welcoming, but watchful presence, and deal with any questions informatively and courteously. A lovely way to see close up a stunning collection of a magnificent property and to learn about its history. The day begins at 11.00 or noon until the House closes at 4.00, with refreshment breaks at certain times.

In addition to the above we now have the following role available:

We are looking for volunteers to warden the Jeff Koons, Cracked Egg (Blue) exhibition which will be on display at the Aviary. The hours are: 11.00-5.00 each day we are open, Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, from April - October. Also, the Contemporary Art space in The Coach House, which will be cutting edge design with an exhibition of spectacular chandeliers designed by the Brazilian brothers Humberto and Fernando Campagna.

Land Train Drivers: The land train seats 24 people and operates a shuttle service from outside the Manor to the Stables Restaurant only, there are no alternative pick up points. It runs every day we are open from 11.00-4.00, occasionally 5.00. A rota is split into 11.00-1.30 or 1.30-4.00, shifts or a whole day can be worked. You can choose! There is a training session on the operation of the land train which also covers health and safety issues. A copy of our paper driving licence is required. As well as a National Trust Driver Vehicle Form.

Raffle Ticket Sellers: This is fun role suitable to someone who is positive and confident, has the ability to relate well to all types of people, a team player, likes mixing and talking with people, enjoys being outdoors and walking around, good interpersonal skills and interested in the NT/Waddesdon Manor heritage and evironment. Each year the National Trust issues raffle tickets. For every one we sell at £1.00 the National Trust matches, every year we put our funds towards a worthwhile repair project at Waddesdon Manor. Hours: 12.00-3.30.

Warehouse Assistant: Assisting with making wine deliveries in the warehouse van to The Manor Restaurant, The Dairy, The Five Arrows Hotel, Waddesdon Garden Centre and other locations. Help with bulk assembly of Waddesdon wine tasting cases and wine gift packs. Assistance is also required in despatch of Christmas wine mail orders. Meticulous attention to detail and good presentation skills required, some lifting would be included. A full driving licence is required. Hours: 10.00-4.00

Catering Department Assistant: The Catering Department currently have several volunteer opportunities available: Firstly, assisting our Pastry Chef in the Waddesdon Manor Kitchen. Duties include: cake preparation to include, Christmas cakes, pudding, mince pies and general baking duties. This is a fun role working in a busy environment with the Pastry Chef and his assistant. Hours: 9.00-2.00

Other roles assisting in the Plant Centre Café, The Stables or Manor Restaurants, they are customer facing roles. Duties include: front of house, showing people to tables, serving food, beverages, ice creams, clearing tables or point of sale. If you are a naturally warm welcoming person with an interest in people there will always be something you can do to help either in the Café or the two on-site Restaurants. Hours: 11.00-3.00

Retail Assistant: This role covers the Manor Gift Shop, Wine Shop, Stables Shop and Waddesdon Plant Centre. Opportunities for volunteering include: assisting in the Manor Shop, stock room, pricing up stock and general tidying, housekeeping and shelf filling in the shops. Hours: 10.00-4.00

Garden Guides: A good opportunity to meet other garden and walking enthusiasts. The Garden Guide role involves a guided walk of the Manor Gardens, these take place Wednesday-Sunday at 11.30 for 30-45 minutes, on Thursday there is an additional Water Garden Walk at 11.30. Regular meetings are held for updates, general briefings and training.

Weekday or Sunday Gardeners: This role is to assist the garden team in a wide range of day to day tasks. A little knowledge of gardening is required and a desire to be out in the open in all weathers. You will be asked to undertake the following tasks: weeding, planting out bedding, deadheading, pruning, re-potting, edging and assisting the project team in all aspects of gardening tasks.

Weekday Garden Volunteers: Volunteers meet in the Garden Department at 8.00. They work until 4.30. There is a lunch break for an hour at noon in the Mess Room of the Garden Department and breaks at 10.00 and 3.00 in the gardens.

Sunday Garden Group Gardeners: Ideal for those who wish to help but cannot make a regular commitment. They meet on the first Sunday of the month, in the car park at 10.00 until about 4.00 with breaks at 11.30 and 3.00 and lunch at 1.00-2.00 all in the Garden. The day is spent with one of the Waddesdon Manor gardeners.

Full Time Garden Volunteers: The National Trust at Waddesdon Manor offers a limited number of opportunities for full-time voluntary work for those with time to spare, between further education and work, as part of a university or college course, or between jobs. Although this role is mainly for overseas applicants we welcome all enquiries. Your role will be to assist the garden team in a wide range of day-to-day tasks, which may include maintenance, project work, development or possibly assisting with the garden events and interpretation. You should expect to undertake the following tasks: weeding, planting out bedding, deadheading and assisting the project team in all aspects of gardening tasks.

This role is a minimum of three months with living accommodation (including heating) you normally contribute 37.5 hours per week - usually Monday to Friday, 8.00 to 4.30 - in line with the regular gardens team. In addition, we would ask that you are prepared to give occasional weekend hours, for which time in lieu can be taken. The actual cost of meals taken during work time (up to £5 per working day) is reclaimable upon presentation of receipts (for food only) and a completed claim form. We may also agree to reimburse some other reasonable expenses, which must be agreed with the Head Gardener.

Aviary Assistant: The role includes feeding, cleaning, food preparation, project work, maintenance and a variety of other tasks. Helping with public presentations or recording data on to the computer. The work is varied with the discipline required to work with livestock. (Weekdays and weekend cover required). We are also looking for volunteers who can give talks (Wednesday-Friday) on Conservation on the Aviary Collection and answer questions once training is completed. Hours: 8.00-3.30 or half day offered.

Plant Centre Assistant: We require someone interested to produce labels for plants which give horticultural information to customers; our installed programme will facilitate this but new varieties may entail some research - day to be arranged.

A volunteer is required to keep various sections of the Conservatory living area clean and tidy i.e dusting - day to be arranged.

These are very much hands on roles ideally suited to someone who is happy to get stuck in, a team player who enjoys dealing with the public. Hours: 9.00-12.00 or 1.00-4.30 (Monday-Sunday)


If you would like to know more about any of the above roles, or any other information about helping as a volunteer at Waddesdon Manor, please contact Liz Wilkinson on 01296 653307 or email Liz.Wilkinson@nationaltrust.org.uk