
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Chartwell
Do something amazing with your spare time by volunteering at Winston Churchill's former home, Chartwell, in Kent. There's more to Chartwell than just the house; why not help out the garden team with some planting, or welcome visitors to the property in our visitor welcome centre?
No matter your experience, your background or your interests, there's a volunteering role at Chartwell for you. Indoor or outdoor, getting muddy in the garden or showing our visitors around the rooms where Churchill lived, there's something for everyone.
As a charity, Chartwell relies heavily on the work of its volunteers to keep its doors open for everyone, for ever.
There are lots of reasons to join us; making the move to volunteer could be the best decision you ever make.
If you're looking for a new challenge, then we're looking for you. Our volunteers are an integral part to what we do here at Chartwell and we have so many opportunities on offer for you. Don't take it from us though, some of our volunteers have shared their stories below.
I was inspired by Chartwell when I was taken there on a first date with the man that was to become my husband. Over the ensuing years, and after further regular visits, it has become a place of enormous sentimental and emotional memories. To be in the environs of Chartwell is a very fulfilling experience and here I'm grateful to the other volunteers; ever friendly and always willing to fill in the gaps as well as providing further valuable nuggets of information. It is striking just how many visitors I meet, who are as I was, regular returners to Chartwell.
One aspect I particularly enjoy is the number of foreign visitors from all parts of the globe Chartwell receives and the pleasure it gives me to pass on information and stories which I hope adds to their enjoyment of the day.
I volunteer as a gardener every Wednesday, come rain or shine. I started because, after a lifetime of admin, I wanted to do something quite different. I enjoy the feeling of doing something worthwhile, having a small role in helping visitors enjoy their time here by keeping the garden ship shape.
I love the sense of recent history that you are always aware of at Chartwell. You really do feel that you are walking in the footsteps of Winston and his family. The social aspect is very important too, meeting the same volunteers each week, many of them have become good friends and we always have a good laugh, even if the weather is awful.
I started volunteering at Chartwell in 2016 almost by accident after the museum I was volunteering at had to close for major repairs. I never dreamt that there would be any opportunities at Chartwell, but there were, I applied and I was accepted.
I found the other volunteers and the local staff were all very supportive and I quickly learnt enough to be confident at explaining Chartwell and its history to the visitors, including a lot from overseas. I have learnt an awful lot myself and I would encourage anyone to have a go at volunteering. I am really lucky to work in such a lovely house with the beautiful unchanged views over the Weald of Kent that Churchill loved so much.
We have a wide variety of volunteer positions for you to get stuck into. Search for volunteer opportunities at Chartwell on the Trust’s volunteering page or get in touch with the team at chartwell@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Thank you to all our volunteers who give their time to support the National Trust in many different roles.
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Chartwell
Our volunteers make our work to look after nature and history for future generations possible. Learn more about the volunteering opportunities available and hear a selection of their stories to find out what it's like to volunteer with us.
Our supporter groups are a great way of getting involved with your local place. Find out more about how you can join in.
These frequently asked questions should give you all you need to know about who can volunteer, what it involves and how to apply.
Woodland clearing, tree veteranisation and nature surveys are just a few ways the countryside team work on the estate to improve it for the benefit of wildlife.
Find out about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into conserving parts of the garden at Chartwell, including a wildflower meadow, opening up views and flower border replanting
Explore the beloved home of one of Britain's greatest politicians, Sir Winston Churchill. The house has many treasures and provides an intimate portrait of the Churchill family.
Discover more about the extraordinary life of Sir Winston Churchill in this permanent exhibition at Chartwell, including five must-see items from the curator.
There are thousands of significant collection items at Chartwell, each with their own story to tell. We’ve picked some highlights, including Churchill’s Nobel Prize and speech box