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Volunteering opportunities at Winkworth Arboretum

Volunteer speaking with children at Bodnant Garden, North Wales
Help our visitors make the most of their visit | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

From getting more exercise in the garden to meeting new people, playing a part in events or simply to practise a hobby such as taking photographs, there are plenty of reasons to become a volunteer at Winkworth Arboretum. Opportunities are available no matter how much time you can spare; discover how to get involved and what's in it for you.

Current opportunities

Ways to volunteer at Winkworth Arboretum 

There are many ways to volunteer your time at Winkworth, from helping with the conservation of the great outdoors or serving people in the café to making visitors feel welcome and inspired. 

Café volunteers

Are you looking to develop your hospitality and catering skills, do you have a talent to whip up a scone of the month? Can you do this whilst warmly welcoming visitors and help to keep the café tidy? If so, we have opportunities for Bakers and Café Volunteers.

Visitor Experience volunteers

Could you help provide our visitors with a warm welcome and the information they need to make their visit memorable? Car Parking Assistants and Welcome Assistants are integral at making this happen. By providing directions and site information, you will help our visitors make the most of their day. Roaming Assistants are our ambassadors of the arboretum, wandering around interacting with visitors, litter picking and checking the site is looking smart, you help our visitors have the best experience.

Retail Volunteers

We are looking for a team of volunteers to join our retail space in the Visitor Welcome Centre. Are you creative with visual displays, interested in products, where they are sourced from, and able to pass this knowledge on to our visitors? Are you good at helping to keep the plants looking healthy in our plant centre? If so, we are looking for a friendly and welcoming team to support Winkworth Arboretum in generating extra income.

Event volunteers

Event volunteers help us in producing our full programme of events for all the family all year round. Whether it’s designing trails, facilitating children’s activities, painting or decorating props, you’ll help create wonderful experiences that our visitors will remember. If you enjoy creative crafts and engaging with our visitors, then why not get in touch and join our team.

Volunteering behind the scenes 

If you feel more comfortable behind a keyboard than in front of a visitors, you could help the friendly office team keep things running smoothly. Are you organised and good at IT? Are you interested in learning new software packages? We are looking for a volunteer to assist with administrational duties. All training will be provided.

‘Volunteering is fulfilling; I get to see special places, sometimes behind the scenes and learn about what is not in the guidebooks.’

- James Duffy, Volunteer Photographer

Opportunities at Oakhurst Cottage

The team at Winkworth, also looks after Oakhurst Cottage just down the road in the village of Hambledon. A team of volunteers host guided tours and looks after the garden. Please follow the link below and search 'Oakhurst Cottage' for any volunteering opportunities there. 

 

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.

 

Get in touch

Volunteering can be an extremely rewarding experience please do drop us an email or search for current opportunities via the links below.
 

Email us
Current Opportunities

 

Thank you

Thank you to all our volunteers who give their time to support the National Trust in many different roles. 

You might also be interested in

Volunteer 

Our volunteers make it possible for us to preserve nature, beauty and history for future generations. Learn more about the opportunities available and discover what it's like to volunteer from a selection of personal stories.

Man moving large rock by side of lake while woman and dog look on

Supporter groups 

Our supporter groups are a great way of getting involved with your local place. Find out more about how you can join in.

A group of people standing in bracken listen to a nature guide at Brownsea Island, Dorset

Frequently asked questions on volunteering 

These frequently asked questions should give you all you need to know about who can volunteer, what it involves and how to apply.

Visitors are greeted by a volunteer in the garden at Stourhead, Wiltshire

The history of Winkworth Arboretum 

Discover how Winkworth Arboretum came to be and find out about the man whose forward-thinking vision is responsible for the sweeping swathes of colour you see today.

A landscape view of the colour trees from the meadow winkworth arboretum

Things to see and do at Winkworth Arboretum 

Follow winding footpaths and stumble upon hidden glades and wetlands at Winkworth Arboretum. With more than 1,000 different shrubs and trees, immerse yourself in colour and nature all year.

Rowes Flashe Lake at Winkworth Arboretum surrounded by lush greenery. Trees with various shades of green foliage are abundant, and the sky is partly cloudy with sunlight filtering through. The water reflects the surrounding trees and sky, creating a tranquil and picturesque scene.

New visitor facilities for Winkworth Arboretum 

Find out about our plans for new visitor facilities at Winkworth Arboretum, which will include a café, shop, toilets and office space, and a new car park.

An inviting photo featuring a tree branch extending across the upper left portion of the image, heavily laden with clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers. In the background a section of a wooden clad building which it out of focus.

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