June: Resources - Recruiting and Working with Volunteers

The success of the event depends upon thousands of organisers and the many thousands of volunteers who will be getting ready to give up their time to lead guided tours, provide refreshments, and organise events in and around the buildings and places that mean so much to them. We know that people from all walks of life share their knowledge, experience and memories with up to 1 million visitors over the weekend, making Heritage Open Days England’s largest voluntary cultural event.

You will need to start recruiting sufficient helpers for the weekend as early as possible. Try to ensure that you have extra volunteers or staff available in case of illness.

1. HODs tips on volunteer recruitment (coming soon)
2. NYA and HLF “tool kit” for working with young volunteers (coming soon)

Case Studies

The Importance of Volunteers to the Success of an Event

“In 2006 with help from a volunteer administrator, we were able to arrange and deliver 25 HODs events in the name of the Arkwright Society, both on and off the site. In outcome, this represented one of the most comprehensive event programmes of Cranford Mill, Derbyshire.
With volunteers contributing both before and after the events, we could not have put on such a varied programme of activity. We secured volunteers from our own tour guide and retail volunteer base, from society committee members and from general membership. Over 20 volunteers, in addition to paid staff, were employed throughout the 4 day celebration, largely to act as event stewards. Furthermore, a number of events were presented and/or led by volunteers. Their involvement was acknowledged afterwards through personal letters of thanks from the Society Director.” Francis Walters, The Arkwright Society, Derbyshire

Attracting Volunteers

“Initially, it was on a one-to-one basis. Local people were not aware of the events but gradually it became very popular. Now it is the other way round. Volunteers contact us and ask if they can help with anything.
The age range varies, from quite young to elderly people, but I’d say that predominantly they are in their middle years. The range of activities and tasks they undertake is very wide. We have a Volunteers Coordinator Committee which deals wih volunteers and every year tries to get new groups of people involved. We are very happy this year because the Committee has also managed to get the involvement of 2 primary schools.” MANDY PENELLUM, MILLOM BOROUGH COUNCIL, CUMBRIA

Young Volunteers

“We have voluntary stewards from the local town council (who own a number of historic buildings), and members of local amenity groups and owners. We have also had interest from students this year who are studying history/art/design, and we have also approached the headmistress of the local secondary school for volunteers.” Jackie Longman, Maldon District HODs Organising Group, Essex