Volunteer opportunities at Rainham Hall

Volunteer pruning fruit trees in the garden at Rainham Hall, London | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

Volunteering at Rainham Hall is all about trying out new things and being part of the community, and you could help bring this special place to life for a diverse range of visitors. Discover more about the range of opportunities available and how you could join in.

Volunteer with the team

We’re always keen for new people to join the team. Have you got a skill you’d like to share? Maybe you’re looking for a new challenge? There are lots of opportunities to get involved whether your passion is history, gardening or meeting new people.

Why join us?

There are lots of reasons to join us; making the move to volunteer could be the best decision you ever make.

Become part of a friendly and dedicated team
Meet people from all walks of life and forge new friendships
Utilise your existing skills and learn new ones
Strengthen your CV and help to develop your career
Enjoy the great outdoors
Learn about the history of this special place.

Volunteer Room Guide talking to visitors at Castle Coole, County Fermanagh. — Volunteer room guide welcoming visitors to Rainham Hall | © National Trust Images / John Millar

Make new friends

Volunteering is a way to make new friends by working together knowing that you're helping a great cause. National Trust staff will support you in your role and often work alongside you as part of a wider team. There’s always time for tea breaks and chats during your day with other like-minded people.

A wide variety of roles

There are many roles available at Rainham Hall with tasks that include:

• Welcoming and engaging with all visitors
• Selling entry tickets and memberships
• Telling the stories of this special place
• Working outdoors in the garden
• Behind-the-scenes business administration work
• Supporting education group and school visits

Seasonal roles

We also have roles that recruit seasonally that include photography, oral history, and flower arranging. We welcome enquiries from people of all ages and backgrounds.

Visitors taking part in gardening activities in the kitchen garden at Osterley Park, London — Family volunteering in the garden at Rainham Hall, London | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

Family volunteering

We welcome families to volunteer at Rainham. Children and their families visit after school or on Saturdays to help out in the garden. The variety of tasks include watering the plants and harvesting vegetables. There’s also time for creative fun from building insect houses to making natural garden decorations.

Work experience

Work experience can be a great opportunity for you to learn about the world of work and develop new skills and knowledge. Placements in the Community Garden can be organised by contacting Rainham Hall and usually run for one to two weeks at set times of the year on Monday to Friday during term times.

Placements are open to young people aged 15 to 18 years old in liaison with your school as part of the national curriculum.

Corporate volunteering

Volunteer outdoors with your colleagues on a Corporate Challenge Day to help develop the Community Garden. Tasks include planting new borders, maintaining paths, creating a diverse wildlife habitat and working on outdoor art projects.

‘Fantastic day. We'll have aching muscles tomorrow but definitely worth it’

- GlaxoSmithKline volunteer group

Corporate Challenge Days in the garden at Rainham Hall are different every time. We will ensure that your day will be full of hands-on activity that will give you a definite sense of achievement at the end.

Experienced National Trust staff will be on hand to help so that you can focus on enjoying your day of volunteering away from the office with your colleagues.