Volunteering
"I love volunteering here and being part of a friendly welcoming team. I feel like I'm giving back to my wider community." Michelle, Highcliffe Castle volunteer since 2016
Volunteer with us
Do you enjoy meeting new people? Would you like to learn more about this wonderful historic site and its stories? Do you want to learn new skills or expand and use existing skills? Over 100 volunteers support the Castle throughout the year, both inside and in the grounds.
Why Highcliffe Castle's Volunteers are so important
- Volunteers of all ages and abilities play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the Castle
- You’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference and to be part of the history of caring for the Castle for future generations to enjoy.
- By sharing your passion and enthusiasm for the Castle, you'll be helping our visitors to get more out of their visit here too
What’s in it for you?
- Become part of a friendly and dedicated team
- Meet people from all walks of life and make new friends
- Improve your communication skills
- Enjoy new experiences and learn something new
Volunteering opportunities
There are many ways you can get involved at the Castle. Read on to discover more about the roles and what they involve.
Join our team of dedicated volunteers
BRING OUR HISTORY TO LIFE
As a costumed interpreter, you will love history and performing. You will dress in period costume and bring one of our previous occupants to life – from our most famous tenant, Gordon Selfridge, to Lady of the house, Lady Louisa Waterford, or her scullery maid! – engaging with visitors in the Castle or encouraging visitors in the grounds to come inside and visit.
BE THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT
As a Shop and Admissions Volunteer, you’ll be the first point of contact for visitors coming into the Castle. You’ll give each visitor a warm and friendly welcome, as well as letting them know how to make the most out of their visit. Our Visitor Reception is a busy place where you’ll be processing admission tickets, selling guided tours and items from our shop as well as helping orientate our visitors.
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR FAMILY CRAFTS
As part of our team of family activity volunteers, you’ll help inspire young and old to be more curious and learn new skills. Our family activity programme provides visitors with a range of fun and interactive activities and crafts. As an activity volunteer you’ll be creative, child-friendly, great at communication and able to work with a variety of ages. Our family activity volunteers come in on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the school holidays.
TEND THE GROUNDS
The Castle sits in 14 acres of land from the manicured Parterre by the Wintergarden to woodland connecting to Steamer Point Nature Reserve. Come rain or shine our volunteer grounds team do practical tasks to help keep the grounds at the Castle in peak condition and looking their best throughout the year.
"I love volunteering in the Castle grounds- spending time outdoors, being part of a team helping out in my local community, seeing the results of our work and engaging with visitors enjoying the site." Lynn, volunteer since 2019
LOOK AFTER OUR COLLECTION
We are looking for a Volunteer Curator to help preserve the Castle's Collection and assist in its upkeep and development, to enable it to support the work of the Castle as a whole. You'll need an interest and knowledge of history, previous experience of working with a collection would be preferable and you will engage with our visitors to bring our collection to life.
We are also looking for Conservation Assistant volunteers to be part of the team helping to preserve the Castle and its Collection. You'll be going around the visitor rooms, as well as behind the scenes, to help look in fine detail following a general list of house- keeping in cleaning and preventive conservation collection management.
DELVE INTO OUR COLLECTION
Our team of Archive and Salvage volunteers have a great eye for detail; to help research, identify, catalogue and preserve our collection. We have many original items from the Castle which need looking after, from paper archives to stained glass, stone and woodwork.
BE A FRIENDLY WELCOMING FACE TO OUR VISITORS
Our tour guides and room stewards have a passion for history and talking to our visitors. We provide all the information and support you will need to build your knowledge of the Castle, its history and fascinating occupants, to help you to bring the Castle’s interesting past to life.
"I love meeting all the Castle visitors and people from all over the world" Gwyn, volunteer since February 2024
Please complete our online application form HERE
Student Placements and Work Experience
Looking to develop your skills, work on a specific project for your course or gain valuable practical experience?
We have a range of opportunities for students over 18 at the Castle. Complete your placement, or get involved in projects which give you a chance to apply your skills developed during your undergraduate or post graduate degree.
Get in touch today to see how we can help you with your career aspirations.
"Volunteering at Highcliffe Castle was a valuable and memorable experience for me. The Castle itself has such a unique and interesting history and volunteering here gave me the opportunity to work with so many knowledgeable, friendly people. There were many different opportunities to volunteer including with the grounds team, in the shop or with the Collections team. I couldn't recommend becoming a volunteer here enough!" Felix, University Placement Student in Summer 2024
Apply for one of our student placement or work experience roles for over 18s HERE
“I started volunteering here because it is such a lovely setting and it seemed like the ideal place to come and help. I like working with the other volunteers and feel like I’m making a difference to make the grounds look nice.”Michael – grounds volunteer since March 2023.
“I have just moved to the area and wanted to learn more about the Castle. I love learning all the facts and meeting the visitors.”Val – room guide volunteer since April 2023.
“I studied a history degree at Bournemouth University and this placement has given me great experience of a heritage site as well as transferable skills I can take anywhere. I’ve had an insight into how the Castle functions as a whole and how the small details fit into the bigger picture of the day to day running of the Castle. I particularly enjoyed my time with the Salvage volunteers and seeing how everyone works together on a project.”George – placement student in summer 2023.