There are several ways that you can volunteer at Shugborough, each giving you a rewarding experience in a supportive environment. In particular we are currently recruiting volunteers for the 2011 season to work in our Walled Garden.

A Walled Gardener Volunteer.
We are seeking interested volunteers who are willing to don 1805 gardening clothes, throw away fertilisers and pesticides and assist as we try and grow 1805 varieties in our new, old walled garden.  Acting as a gardener guide you will be tending the garden whist also interpreting its fascinating history to our visitors.

As a modern gardener.
Several people volunteer regularly in our wonderful gardens helping make them even more wonderful. This season we have vacancies to assist both in the formal gardens and on the newly opening island arboretum.

Examples of recent volunteers work.
In Operations.  We had a student placement look at how to get real, ancient brewing every week up and running in our real, authentic brewhouse. He wrote a business plan for us and explored how beer was made in 1871 at a time when everyone drank 8 pints a day rather than risk the water!  The brewhouse has since been brewing successfully for several seasons now.  Another student found & bought Lucy The Train for us (she was actually called Lucy!). She also compiled a report on our Walled Garden, trawling the archives and talking to everyone she could find about the details of gardening in 1805.

In Marketing. A student placement offered us every Wednesday for 6 months and in that time analysed our exit research, wrote press releases & organised photocalls.

As a guide. We often have vacancies for paid guides (interpreters), and there is also a network of unpaid guides who turn up most weekends and talk to visitors about (and from within) our Tower of The Winds, and Chinese House.

As a bothy craftsperson. Free workshops are now available for craftspersons to set up, make and sell authentic craft wares appropriate to 1805. Act quickly, only 1 left!

What we offer:
You can put us on your CV, and if you’re any good, we’ll write you a reference. All regular volunteers (but not bothy people) receive a Shugborough Season Pass.  So, what are you waiting for? Send us a letter, call or e-mail and we’ll send you an application form.

Contact Us:
By email: enquiies@shugborough.org.uk
By Phone: 01889 881388
By Fax: 01889 881323
By Post: Shugborough Operations, Shugborough Estate, Milford, Stafford, ST17 0XB