Supporter groups in Liverpool and Lancashire

A volunteer led guided tour around Wray Castle in Cumbria — A volunteer led guided tour around Wray Castle | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Interested in making the most of the National Trust near you in Liverpool and Lancashire? Join your local supporter group to enjoy special interest talks, visits, holidays and other social and fundraising events or hands-on conservation activities. There are eight different groups you could join. Read on to find your nearest one or click on a supporter group’s name in the menu to jump to their details.

Why join a supporter group?

Getting together with other National Trust enthusiasts, members and volunteers who feel passionate about the same things is priceless. Sharing unique experiences and finding out more about the places you care about is what being part of a local National Trust supporter group is all about.

From listening to expert talks and going on behind-the-scenes tours to taking relaxing holidays or restoring natural habitats in the great outdoors, you’ll be part of something amazing. Supporter groups promote and assist the National Trust’s work within their local area and raise money for conservation and development projects through all kinds of events.

Bolton Association

Bolton Association was founded in 1986 and has an active membership drawn primarily from Bolton, including the surrounding areas.

Their objectives are to promote the Trust locally, raise funds to support it and enable members to get even more enjoyment from their membership. In recent years they have contributed various sums to support a wide range of projects at different National Trust properties in the North West region.

Next year will be the Association's 40th anniversary and they are planning a celebration for the October meeting.

Friends of Gawthorpe Hall

The Friends of Gawthorpe aim to promote and support Gawthorpe Hall, and in particular the Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth collections of embroidery, needlework and lace, together with the Hall's library collection.

Lune and Kent Estuary Group

The Lune and Kent Estuary Group (LUKE) draws its membership primarily from Lancaster, Morecambe and the surrounding villages. They support Sizergh Castle and National Trust properties around Morecambe Bay.

LUKE has a diverse social programme including activities like theatre visits, coach trips to places of interest, a summer party, Christmas coffee and shopping at Sizergh Castle, and an annual coffee morning, which has helped add to the £60,000+ donated to the Trust since LUKE began in 1977.

LUKE’s members also meet from October to March at different locations, to enjoy a varied programme of talks and demonstrations, whilst their energetic walking group go out in all weathers, exploring the region. Their regular newsletter will keep you well informed of what's going on.

Merseyside National Trust Environmental Volunteers

Founded in 1987, this volunteer group helps National Trust staff with hands-on activities and encompasses a wide range of ages and backgrounds.

There are tasks for you whatever your fitness – you could be clearing scrub, maintaining woodland, repairing fences and footpaths, conserving sand dunes, or planting trees and hedges.

Work sites range over Merseyside, Wirral and parts of Cheshire and North Wales, at locations as varied as the grounds of Speke Hall, the coastal habitats at Formby or the heath at Helsby Hill. They work most alternate Sundays from 10am to 3-4pm, with breaks for refreshments, and also go for meals out and walking trips in areas such as North Wales or the Lake District.

2023 calendar

February: 5th - Formby (Sefton Coast), 19th - Formby

March: 5th - Bicketon Hill (Cheshire), 19th - Chirk Castle (North Wales)

April: 2nd - Erddig (North Wales), 16th - Formby, 30th - Speke Hall (Liverpool)

May: 14th - The Wirral, 21st - Quarry Bank (Cheshire)

June: 4th - Dunham Massey (Greater Manchester), 18th - Dunham Massey

July: 2nd - Formby, 16th - Speke Hall, 30th - Erddig

August: 13th - Quarry Bank, 20th - Speke Hall

September: 3rd - Chirk Castle, 17th - Dunham Massey

October: 1st - Dunham Massey, 15th - The Wirral, 19th - Bickerton Hill

November: 12th - Formby, 26th - Formby

December: 10th - Speke Hall

Rangers and volunteers having a well-earned rest while helping to clear pathway drainage on the fells above Grasmere, Cumbria — Rangers and volunteers having a well-earned rest on the fells above Grasmere | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Ormskirk and District Association

The Ormskirk and District Association of National Trust Members and Volunteers was formed in 1989. Their members are drawn from the wider Ormskirk area, from Formby and Maghull to Preston and Rainford. The association is open to all who are interested in the National Trust, and new members are always welcome, whether or not they are members of the National Trust.

The association enjoys a well supported programme of activities including;

September to April Speaker Meetings on the second Tuesday of each month from 2.30pm at the Toby Carvery, Ormskirk

Summer Day trips

Summer Holiday

Social Events

Through these events they raise funds to support the National Trust. Nearby Trust places include:

Rufford Old Hall

Dunham Massey

Quarry Bank

Speke Hall

The sand dune coastline at Formby

Southport and Formby Association

The Southport and Formby Association (SoFA) have around 180 members from Southport, Formby and the surrounding areas. They support the National Trust and look for ways of promoting it locally.

The association liaises closely with staff at local Trust places and helps with plans and projects. Local properties that have benefitted from their donations and support include Rufford Old Hall, Formby, The Hardman’s House and Speke Hall, as well as others in south Manchester and Cheshire.

The association welcomes members of the National Trust, National Trust for Scotland and Trust volunteers. They offer a year-round programme of social events, talks, outings and short holidays.