A Focus on Volunteering

A Focus on Volunteering

Volunteers have been an integral part of the Ordsall Hall team since we re-opened to the public in May 2011.  Volunteers have assisted the staff with all aspects of maintaining a historically significant visitor attraction. The volunteer team is led by David Potts and supported by the entire staff team.

Cynthia and Steve have remained with us since day one. Jean and Sue joined shortly afterwards, and Helen (our newest team member) has also been with us for several years. The volunteer team maintain a presence Monday to Thursday and Sunday afternoons, supporting staff and assisting visitors. David has been volunteer manager since before the re-launch and comes from a public service background.

Ordsall Hall has welcomed more than 100 volunteers from all walks of life over its recent history, and each and every one has brought their own perspective and lived experience to share with the rest of the team. People of all ages, all abilities and all backgrounds have come together to make sure that our visitors experience excellent customer care and have the best day out possible. At Ordsall Hall, we positively encourage and welcome the diversity that volunteering brings to the organisation.

Volunteer duties include a broad range of activities such as meeting and greeting, providing directions, sharing information, answering questions, and generally meeting the needs of our visitors. Very few come with a comprehensive academic interest in history, but everyone shares a keen interest and passion for the building, its contents and, most of all, the stories it has to tell.

In 2019 the volunteer programme at Ordsall Hall was awarded Her Majesty the Queen’s “Award for Voluntary Service” and two of our volunteers were fortunate enough to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace and represent the Ordsall Hall team. The award and certificate still take pride of place in our main display cabinet and remains our highest achievement to date.

And then Covid-19 happened. The world went into shock and museums had to close their doors to visitors, staff and volunteers. But, like the rest of the world, the museum sector bounced back; slowly at first, but with a real sense of purpose. As ever, volunteers were an integral part of this process and re-joined the team as soon as it was safe to do so. Since then they have remained an essential part of our recovery plan and we are now ready to write the next chapter in our volunteer story.

We will shortly be re-launching our volunteer programme and are currently looking for keen and enthusiastic recruits to join the Ordsall Hall team. Applicants do not need to be history experts or have previous experience in the museum sector (though either would be welcome). All we ask is that our volunteers enjoy meeting new people, work well as part of a team, have a friendly personality and are able to offer a warm welcome to our visitors.

If this sounds like you, and you would like further information, see our Volunteering page, contact david.potts@scll.co.uk or call 0161 686 7445.