Passion for early-medieval history? Then we have the opportunity for you!
Living History Volunteers
In 2026 we want to expand our living history offer. Our existing group of wonderful living
history team are experts in Anglo-Saxon life and bring a touch of magic to our visitor
experience through heritage skills demonstrations and more. We would like to increase
the number of living history volunteers we support, however this time we are looking
specifically for volunteers who can work regularly at the weekends.
Saturday and Sunday are our busiest days during term time so we want to ensure that
weekend visitors are able to become immersed in the Anglo-Saxon world by interacting
with our volunteers who can bring it to life.
As a living history volunteer you will become part of our passionate and informed living
history cohort. You can develop your knowledge about the Anglo-Saxon and early
Medieval period. You can learn heritage skills, such as carpentry and weaving. We hope to
bring ‘at-risk’ skills to Jarrow Hall through training and demonstrations to which you
would be invited to take part. You will be an invaluable part of our events and engagement
programme. You will also be offered an authentic Anglo-Saxon costume which will be
historically accurate and will be made for you with help from our textile volunteers.
Complete a Volunteer Application Form and email it to [email protected]
WHY WE WANT YOU
Our Living History volunteers bring life to our fascinating Anglo-Saxon village by dressing in Anglo-Saxon kit and being able to talk to visitors about our buildings, the materials they’re made with, the objects held within them and the technologies used to create them. They are able to demonstrate different skills and share their knowledge of Anglo-Saxon history to entertain and inform visitors. This gives visitors an experience they will remember. As a volunteer at Jarrow Hall you will be entitled to certain benefits in return for your time. Benefits include access to a wide array of skills development and complementary refreshments while you are delivering. You will also become part of a supportive and enthusiastic group of like-minded staff and volunteers. As a key part of the team you will be expected to play a proactive and dynamic role alongside your fellow volunteers and staff to ensure that Jarrow Hall builds on its offer of an immersive experience
Is LIVING HISTORY FOR YOU?
As a Living History Volunteer you have a great opportunity to spend time in welcoming and engaging our visitors in our fascinating Anglo-Saxon village, farm and museum.
This role would be ideally suited to people who:
Love talking to people and sharing stories and knowledge, who are confident at communicating with different people and sharing their experience and enthusiasm
Are happy to wear a historically accurate kit. This is an essential part of the role. If dressing up isn’t your thing you may be more interested in volunteering in a different capacity.
Have knowledge of, or interest in, Anglo-Saxon history, or are keen to learn more
Would like to be able to demonstrate different skills and activities to visitors
Wants to work in a friendly team with other staff and volunteers
LIVING HISTORY VOLUNTEERS-key tasks
- Provide a warm welcome to visitors, encourage them to engage with the resources available; be happy to answer questions and give information about our site and activities
- Demonstrate different skills and be able to give short talks on our reconstructed buildings and the life of an Anglo-Saxon
- Ensure that the (re)constructed buildings in use are set up correctly, and that any resources used are tidied away at the end of the shift
- Ensure that objects and displays in the (re)constructed buildings are safe and secure during opening hours
- Support group tour bookings and educational activities as required
- Working within all Jarrow Hall Health and Safety procedures as appropriate
- Assist other volunteers and staff across the site when needed
- General Volunteering Responsibilities
- Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and knowledge to promote our culture, values and mission.
- Keep up to date with events and activities on-site so you can share your knowledge with our visitors and provide a high standard of visitor welcome and care.
- Proactively engage visitors to inform, delight and encourage support as appropriate.
- Deal with any visitor issues efficiently and politely, redirecting as appropriate.
- Be an ambassador for Jarrow Hall, the local area and the UK.
- Commit to a minimum of 1 shift per month of 4 hours or more between 10:00 and 16:00 during weekends or school holidays.
- Follow all Groundwork SaNT instruction and policy both outlined at induction and introduced in the future.
- Undertake training and development as required across areas including but not limited to historical and site knowledge, safeguarding, health and safety.
- Any other duties as reasonably requested to fulfil the objectives of Jarrow Hall and Groundwork
SaNT
All necessary training and background information needed to fulfil the role will be provided