Volunteering at Ormesby Hall

Garden staff and volunteers at Stowe, Buckinghamshire in July — Volunteering is a wonderful way to gain experience, meet new people and simply spend time somewhere you love. | © National Trust Images/John Millar

As Teesside's only National Trust property, volunteering at Ormesby Hall offers the chance to help care for one of the area's most important historic places while making a real difference to your local community.

Become part of the story

There's something special about Ormesby Hall.

For more than 400 years it's been part of Teesside's story. Today, that story continues because of the people who care for it.

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They welcome visitors, share stories, care for the gardens, help run events, look after nature and make sure everyone enjoys a memorable day out.

Whether you're looking to gain experience, meet new people, give something back or simply spend time somewhere you love, we'd love to welcome you to the team.

Because volunteering here isn't just about giving your time. It's about becoming part of something bigger

Why volunteer with us?

There are so many reasons people choose to volunteer at Ormesby Hall.

You could:

Gain hands-on experience in heritage, conservation, hospitality, retail or events.
Learn new skills and build confidence.
Strengthen your CV with practical experience that employers value.
Meet new people and become part of a welcoming community.
Spend time outdoors or inside one of Teesside's finest historic houses.
Help protect an important place for future generations.

Whether you're a student looking for experience, starting a new chapter after retirement, returning to work or simply wanting to make a difference, there's a place for you here.

No two volunteer journeys are the same.

Volunteer cleaning collections in front of visitors — Opportunities to volunteer are available all year round at Ormesby Hall. | © National Trust

Find the role that's right for you

There's far more to volunteering than being a room guide.

Depending on your interests, you could help:

House

Welcome visitors, bring history to life and help people discover the stories behind Ormesby Hall.

Gardens

Work alongside our gardening team to care for beautiful borders, historic landscapes and seasonal planting.

Rangers & Conservation

Help protect wildlife, habitats and green spaces across the estate while learning about conservation in action.

Events

Support everything from family activities and Summer of Play to seasonal events and community celebrations.

Retail & Café

Create a warm welcome for visitors while helping generate income that supports the future of Ormesby Hall.

And if you'd like to try more than one area, many of our volunteers do exactly that.

No experience? No problem.

You don't need to be a history expert. Or a gardener. Or have volunteered before.

We're simply looking for people who are friendly, curious and happy to get involved.

We'll provide all the training and support you need, along with access to additional learning opportunities through the National Trust.

What our volunteers say

"I came hoping to learn something new. I ended up making friends and really enjoy playing my part here."

—

"Every day is different. One moment you're chatting to visitors, the next you're helping the team prepare for the next big thing - whether that's the school summer holidays or Christmas. I find it incredibly rewarding."

—

"Volunteering here has given me confidence I didn't know I had. Or maybe that I had lost. It's one of the best decisions I've made."

Railway volunteer engaging with visiting family and operating the model railway. — In all roles, engaging with visitors and improving their experience and understanding of what we offer is often one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering. | © National Trust Images/Joanne Crawford

Make a difference

Every conversation, visitor welcomed, flower planted, event supported and hour volunteered helps ensure Ormesby Hall continues to inspire people for generations to come.

If you'd like to be part of that story, we'd love to hear from you.

Get get in touch with the team by email or phone to find out more on 01642 328904.

Your Ormesby Hall story starts here.