Volunteering at Paycocke’s House

Visitors and staff in the coffee shop at Paycocke's House and Garden, Essex | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

The dedicated and enthusiastic team of volunteers at Paycocke’s House play a vital role in welcoming visitors and sharing knowledge about the building and its history. Discover how you too could become a valued member of the team.

What our volunteers do

Volunteers at Paycocke’s House are involved in all aspects of the day-to-day running of the place. They prepare the house and garden so it can be seen at its very best, greet visitors on the admissions desk or serve teas and coffees.

At the Grange Barn, a sister property in Coggeshall only a short walk away, volunteers introduce visitors to the heritage of the village, the ancient barn itself and Bryan Saunders’s comprehensive collection of wood-working tools.

Is volunteering for you?

Volunteering is a great way to take on a challenge and make new friends. It’s also an opportunity to pick up some work-related skills and support the work of the National Trust at your local places. You may already have skills you can bring to the role, but training is available to help with things like beekeeping and social media.

If you don’t know enough about the history of the place or you’ve never used a till, don’t worry. An experienced volunteer will help you pick it up and provide all the help and support you need.

Most volunteers sign up for at least one half-day shift each fortnight, but it really depends on the role and your availability.

‘I enjoy working as part of a team, doing something worthwhile.’

– Nigel, gardening team

A volunteer is seen dusting a window at Paycocke's House and Garden in Essex — A volunteer dusting at Paycocke's House in Essex | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Where volunteering can lead

A group of volunteers recently did some research into the missing daughter of the man from whom the place takes its name, Thomas Paycocke. Very little was known about Thomas’s daughter, Anne, but through hard work and determination Judith Robson, Anne Bland and Nigel Stockwell pieced together the interesting story of Thomas’s sole descendant.

Find out what they discovered in this article exploring the history of the Paycocke family.