Volunteer with us

Volunteering with our Grounds Team

Volunteer Groundsman

Can you help us make a great first impression? Then volunteer with the team who look after the Shuttleworth grounds and public areas.

(This role is separate to the Swiss Garden Volunteering Team).

Reporting To

Senior Groundsman

The Role

This is a hands-on, outdoors, physical, role covering the whole of the Shuttleworth Estate and we are seeking volunteers with a variety of skills.

Hours

Able to volunteer approximately 8 hours per week, or more on weekdays

Willing to volunteer all year round

Main Duties, Skills, Attitudes

· Runway maintenance

· Hedge-cutting, Pruning shrubbery, Soft Landscaping, Grass Cutting (push mowing)

· Fencing and Painting

· Pothole and gravel path repairs

· Spray licence would be advantageous but not essential

· Mindful of working safely using a variety of skill across a large site

· Assist in Event Day preparation and take down

· Respectful of the history of the site and able to volunteer effectively as part of a larger team

· Willing to engage in a friendly and positive way if approached by visitors

Training

Training will be provided as required, however basic skills and knowledge would be an advantage. Formal qualifications are not required.

Location

The Shuttleworth Trust grounds

Number of Roles Available

Up to 5

Volunteering with our Visitor Attraction team

Volunteer Visitor Attraction Assistant

Do you enjoy engaging with people and could you help our visitors make the most of their time at Shuttleworth?

Reporting To

Retail Manager

The Role

This can be the first point of contact for many of our visitors so you should possess excellent interpersonal skills to interact in a friendly, welcoming and positive manner with Shuttleworth’s visitors, staff, volunteers and all other stakeholders.

Hours

Some flexibility but core hours 10.00 - 14:00. Minimum of 1 shift per week.

Shifts available weekdays or weekends. Additional Event Day support is always appreciated but not essential.

Main Duties, Skills, Attitudes

· Keeping up to date with Shuttleworth’s daily activities to advise ‘What’s On’

· Welcoming visitors and collecting admission charges. Expected to handle cash/card payments (training will be given) and to work with a computer based till system (training will be provided)

· Ensuring the Visitor Centre is kept tidy and presentable throughout the day

· Providing front-line support for the Shuttleworth enquiries phone line (referring callers to the Enquiries E-Mail facility where queries cannot be answered immediately)

· Restocking flyers and trail sheets and notifying relevant teams when they need to be re-ordered

· Retail support including managing sales of Shuttleworth branded goods and re-stocking shelves as required and identifying items that are close to selling out and require re-order

· Respectful of the history of the site and able to volunteer effectively as part of a larger team

Training

Training will be provided as required. Formal qualifications are not required.

Location

The Visitor Centre

Number of Roles Available

Up to 4

Volunteering with our Shuttleworth House team

Volunteer Stewards – Shuttleworth House

Can you help share with our visitors the fascinating history of the Old Warden Estate and the Shuttleworth story?

Reporting To

Operations Manager

The Role

The Shuttleworth House plays host to weddings and many inspiring and exciting events, but when it isn’t being used for events, it is opened to the public for a number of dates throughout the year both as part of wider events and standalone House open days.

Hours

Flexible and depending on opening days

Main Duties, Skills, Attitudes

· Meet and greet and encourage visitors to explore what the House has to offer and engage with visitors by bringing the House, its contents and history to life

· Be an excellent communicator and enjoy meeting new people with an ability to engage visitors by outlining objects/areas of interest/facts about the room

· Keen to learn about the history and heritage of the site and willing to share this knowledge

· Assist in the development, put up and take down of exhibitions and displays

· Respectful of the history of the site and able to volunteer effectively as part of a larger team

· If interested in doing so, to support with guided tours (training will be provided)

· We are keen to involve people with an interest in archiving or research

Training

Training will be provided as required, Formal qualifications are not required.

Location

The Shuttleworth House

Number of Roles Available

Up to 5

Volunteering with Shuttleworth Rescue & Firefighting Service

Shuttleworth Fire Service

Join the award-winning Shuttleworth Rescue & Firefighting Service and become part of a professional, dedicated team supporting one of the UK's most unique aviation and heritage environments.

Based at Old Warden Aerodrome, our volunteer Rescue & Firefighting Service provides emergency response, fire and rescue capability, event fire safety and operational support across the Shuttleworth estate. They play a vital role in protecting visitors, volunteers, staff, historic aircraft and the wider estate during flying displays, public events and day-to-day operations.

We are currently accepting applications for Volunteer Firefighters. Whether you have previous emergency service experience or are looking for a new challenge, we welcome applications from motivated individuals who are committed to teamwork, professionalism and public safety. Full training, uniform and ongoing development are provided.

If you're looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity where you can make a genuine difference while developing valuable skills as part of a close-knit team, we'd love to hear from you.

Please use the application link below to submit your application. 

Shuttleworth Fire Service - Application Form  – Fill in form

Read our Information Pack to learn more about the role before applying. 

Volunteering with our Maintenance Team

Do you have trade skills you are willing to use to help keep this unique and active heritage site running smoothly?

Maintenance Volunteer

Reporting To

Maintenance Manager

The Role

This is a practical, hands-on role covering the Shuttleworth Estate and we are seeking volunteers with a broad variety of skills. This role requires indoor and outdoor working. You must be able to work safely, tidily and effectively around others while the site is open to visitors.

Hours

Weekdays only, 1 or more shifts per week

Winter 09:00-15:30

Summer 09:00-16:00

Main Duties, Skills, Attitudes

· Trade skills in any of Woodworking, Painting, Plumbing, Electrical

· General DIY, maintenance and repairs

· Mindful of working safely using a variety of skills across a complex site

· Ability to follow instruction and willing to ask if unsure

· Respectful of the history of the site and able to volunteer effectively as part of a larger team

· Willing to engage in a friendly and positive way if approached by visitors

Training

Training will be provided as required, however basic skills and knowledge are essential. Formal qualifications are desirable but not required.

Location

The Shuttleworth Estate

Number of Roles Available

Up to 5

Volunteering with our Learning Team

Do you have the experience and enthusiasm to inspire school children’s natural curiosity in a highly visual, active-participation and inquiry-based learning environment?

Volunteer Education Guide

Reporting To

Learning Manager

The Role

As a Volunteer Education Guide, you will help deliver pre-designed learning activities as part of a team. Using open questions and engaging activities, you will encourage learners to explore ideas, ask questions and make discoveries.

Most visits are for primary school groups, with some opportunities to share more specialist knowledge with secondary school learners and older groups.

Hours

All shifts on a voluntary rota which you sign up to in advance, depending on your availability including:

Term time weekday shifts to cover individual school visits 09.00 – 14.00 (includes set up and clear away)

Weekday and/or weekend shifts to cover larger, multi-school and youth group educational events, normally 08.30 – 16.30 (includes set up and clear away)

How much you do is up to you.

Main Duties, Skills, Attitudes

· Meet and greet pre-booked primary school and youth group visitors in a friendly and welcoming manner

· As part of a team, deliver learning activities per a pre-booked timetable agreed with the school /youth group

· As part of a team, to respond in a timely and flexible manner to changes and/or requests by accompanying staff to ensure the smooth running of the visit

· As part of a team, to work with accompanying staff to ensure pastoral needs are met, for children to engage successfully in the learning activities

· Assist in the development, set up and take down of learning activities

· Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills

· Must present in a professional and organised way with empathy, patience and adaptability

· Be mindful of the safety and wellbeing of accompanying staff and children whilst on site

· Be mindful, polite and accommodating to other visitors, staff and volunteers who may be sharing the same space as you and the activity you are delivering

· Work collaboratively with other teams who may be delivering activities alongside Education Guides.

· Respectful of the history of the site and able to volunteer effectively as part of a larger team

Training

Training is routinely by shadowing existing guides, learning the activities and observing activity delivery techniques. Please be prepared to undertake some of your own research so that you feel confident with the activity you are delivering. There are core learnings to be delivered, however (within reason) you can find a style to suit yourself.

Prior teaching experience is desirable, however formal qualifications are not required.

Safeguarding training and DBS checks are mandatory and will be funded by Shuttleworth.

Location

The Collection, The Swiss Garden and surrounding estate.

Number of Roles Available

Up to 6

Are you looking for a rewarding way to use your strong interpersonal and organisational skills to support our younger volunteers?

Volunteer Discovery Team Leader

Reporting To

Learning Manager

The Role

As a part of the Shuttleworth Trust Discovery Team, young people aged 14-24 volunteer with us to host fun and educational family activities. Our Discovery Team volunteers benefit from learning relevant new skills, meeting new people and excellent learning experiences. They also receive training and qualifications to add to their CV or Personal Statement. The team run fantastic educational Discovery Zones across our air show season, offering young people the chance to be inspired by what we do here at Shuttleworth.

As Discovery Team Lead you will support the Learning Manager by supervising the Discovery Team as required and in designing and delivering relevant and engaging educational programmes and heritage experiences.

This role involves a broad range of tasks that are essential to the smooth running of the Discovery Team’s activities. You will be working as part of a larger team and will work collaboratively so that all agreed deliverables are achieved in a timely and organised manner.

Hours

Must be available to support at the majority of air show dates and occasional weekend dates over the winter period. Flexible hours including on-site and off-site working depending on the task at hand.

Main Duties, Skills, Attitudes

· Working as part of a larger team, supervision of the Discovery Team on air show dates

· Participate in the set up and take down of Discovery Team activities

· Observe the activities in use, so that improvements can be suggested and implemented

· Design and development of new Discovery Team activities

· Once agreed, to present and demonstrate new or updated activities to the relevant personnel delivering the activities and train them on the updates

· Assist with and participate in any administrative work as required to co-ordinate the Discovery Team

· Assist with obtaining and presenting relevant feedback from the Discovery Team, for use in improving their experience

· Must present in a professional and organised way with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be prepared to join relevant WhatsApp groups

· Ability to look both creatively and practically at a challenge and propose workable options and solutions for consideration

· A collaborative and team working outlook and attitude is essential

· Respectful of the history of the site and able to volunteer effectively as part of a larger team

Training

Training is routinely by shadowing and learning the existing activities and observing activity delivery techniques.

Prior supervisory and team leadership experience is essential. Formal qualifications are not required.

Safeguarding training and DBS checks are mandatory and will be funded by Shuttleworth.

Location

The Shuttleworth Trust with occasional outreach / away days throughout the year

Number of Roles Available

Up to 4

Volunteering with the Friends Societies

Could you help expand membership of our Friends Societies to ensure ongoing support for vital and exciting projects across the site?

SVAS and FoSG Membership Trailer & Sales

Reporting To

Team Lead

The Role

This role is responsible for encouraging visitors to join the Friends Societies, where an active and expanding membership is essential so that important projects can continue to be funded.

Hours

Summer hours 09.00 - 17.00 Winter hours 10.00 - 16.00

Arranged via a rota, shifts available include weekends, weekdays during the school holidays, air shows and other events throughout the air show season. Full and part shifts available.

Main Duties, Skills, Attitudes

· Promoting membership of the Friends Societies in a friendly, courteous and considerate manner. Please note, there is no place for high pressure sales within this role.

· Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to quickly build rapport and convey the benefits of membership

· Willing to learn and share a little about the history of the site to inform visitors of the value of membership

· Effective and succinct sharing of ongoing projects to encourage donations from interested visitors.

· Help to create an environment where each visitor feels welcomed and appreciated

· Good organisational skills and neat handwriting please, to record applications made in person for later reconciliation. Expected to handle cash/card payments (training will be given)

· Ensuring the membership area is kept neat and tidy and presents well. Retail support including managing sales of memorabilia and re-stocking, notifying the team lead when items need to be re-ordered

· Respectful of the history of the site and able to volunteer effectively and collaboratively as part of a larger team

Training

Training will be provided as required. Formal qualifications are not required.

Location

The SVAS Trailer (summer) The Visitor Centre (winter)

Number of Roles Available

Up to 6

Volunteering with the Bus Team

Reporting To

Team Leader and Vehicle Group Manager

The Role

Bus team volunteers are part of the Shuttleworth Vehicles group. The Shuttleworth Trust owns three vintage buses which are used regularly, on site, for passenger rides involving members of the public. Services are operated on numerous occasions during the year, including air shows, school visits, weddings and other events.

Volunteers can progress through roles. Driver volunteers will usually have joined the bus team firstly as a Team Member to familiarise themselves with the bus volunteer group, and the scope of the bus team operations. Having progressed to become a Conductor, a volunteer with sufficient experience can then apply to become a Driver by mutual agreement and as vacancies arise.

All bus team roles involve practical, hands on working and volunteers must be fit enough to be able to board the buses, some of which have high step-ups, and to be on their feet for extended periods. Volunteers who progress to become drivers must have a clean driving licence and be fit enough to drive the buses, which are physically demanding.

Hours

Weekly on a Thursday to carry out necessary maintenance and upkeep of the buses and plan for operations.

Bus Operations including Events days - various pre-booked dates, particularly during the May-October period.

Requested commitments include attending at least 5 of the season’s 7 major air shows, as required

Main Duties (training will be provided as required)

To work safely and as directed by the Team Lead

Assist with basic maintenance, cleaning and welfare of the buses

Assisting in moving buses in and out of the Hangar

Help to set up and participate in the safe operation of the bus collection at various events, including positive engagement with the public and management of queues.

Confident to share with visitors the history of the bus collection and the history of Shuttleworth, the House and Swiss Garden. Background information will be made available, and our expectation is that the volunteer will be keen to ask questions and learn.

Skills

A basic understanding of vehicle engineering is desirable

A well-developed sense of road safety together with good spatial awareness

Strong interpersonal skills and experience of team working

Attitudes

Willingness to learn new skills under instruction and must be prepared to ask if unsure

The successful and safe operation of Shuttleworth buses requires a high level of cooperation within the bus group and with other sections of Shuttleworth operations. Volunteers are thus expected to be able to function effectively as excellent team players

Respectful of the history of the site

Training

Training and guidance will be provided. Formal qualifications are not required.

Opportunities to progress through roles will include additional learning requirements (detailed role descriptions are available)

Bus volunteers operating at air shows events are encouraged to provide their own appropriate clothing, representing the approximate period dress of the time (such as a collarless shirt, waistcoat and cap).

Location

The Shuttleworth Estate and based in Hangar 3

Number of Roles Available

Two