Volunteering at Mount Stewart

Volunteers and visitors in the House - Mount Stewart — Volunteers and visitors exploring the House | © Sarah Harkness

The National Trust was founded by volunteers way back in 1895, and today we depend on our volunteers as much as ever. With the support of volunteers, the National Trust can protect more nature, beauty and history. Whether its welcoming visitors, telling stories in the historic house, monitoring wildlife, photography, helping out in our tearoom, protecting the coast or inspiring children and young people, there’s no end to what volunteers can do at Mount Stewart and the places we care for across East Down.

Why volunteer with us?

Volunteering is a wonderful way to share your skills and passions as well as make new friends while doing your bit to ensure places you love are preserved for generations to come. There are dozens of opportunities on offer that will get you out in the sunshine and away from the everyday. Volunteers make our places special. It’s your skills and passion that help to keep them open for ever, for everyone.

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
Learn about the history of this special place
Support nature and wildlfe

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.

Volunteering at Mount Stewart Tree Nursery — Staff and volunteer planting seeds in the Tree Nursery | © Sarah Harkness

A wide variety of roles

Volunteers are involved in the life of Mount Stewart and the Strangford Lough and Ards Peninsula Ranger team at every turn. Roles vary and include:

Caring for the historic collection in the house
Welcoming visitors to varied events
Helping in the shop
Helping take care of the historic landscape, demesne and gardens
Supporting the Children and Young People Hub
Sharing the stories of this special place as a room or tour guide
Preparing delicious refreshments in the tea-room
Sorting and pricing books in the second-hand bookshop
Behind-the-scenes business administration work

Find a role for you

There are opportunities for people of all backgrounds, abilities, and interests to get involved. You don’t have to be an expert as we’ll provide all the training and support that you need.

A willingness to learn and to share your enthusiasm with others is what we are looking for. Joining the volunteer team offers you the opportunity to do something worthwhile by supporting your local property.

I want to volunteer, what do I do now?

Search for opportunities close to you on the website and once you’ve found the role/s you’re interested in, fill in the relevant application form/s. Someone from our local team will then be in touch to discuss what happens next. This is usually a visit and a chat, but could also be an open day or a more formal recruitment process, such as an interview.

If you have any questions please email mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk stating your area of interest in the subject line.

Volunteering FAQs

Volunteering is a rewarding experience, but understandably you may have many questions on how you can get involved, what volunteering entails, whether training is included or if you’re qualified enough. The frequently asked questions linked here will help answer many of these queries.