Volunteers' experiences in learning

A fresh perspective

'I love interacting with children and hearing their ideas. Children always have such an interesting point of view, a fresh perspective. I love the programmes at Sutton House - it’s so interactive with the local community. It’s excellent that the Trust has a house where children feel so welcome. There’s no hands off here, they can come and explore. This house is so in touch with what’s going on: really being open to the community.'

Jennifer Lewis, Learning Volunteer, Sutton House

Sewing circle becomes a sewing army

We made this Georgian gown for the mothers of the children who come here on school visits. The children dress up in Georgian clothes and their mothers started asking if they could too. So now they can. Our sewing circle has become a sewing army, with about 25 women now involved in recreating the costumes from a painting from 1750 of the house's family, which are used for re-enactments and school workshops. We manage ourselves, and it's fantastic how the group has grown.

Anne Rose, volunteer, Ickworth House