Sewerby Hall and Gardens Looking For 2017 Volunteers

Sewerby Hall and Gardens, near Bridlington, are looking for volunteers to help with three aspects of their visitor programme in 2017.

Costume Project Volunteers are needed to help to run sewing and costume- making sessions in the Orangery every Monday during the season when the house is open to the public, between Easter and the end of October.

Members of the public will be able to engage with the volunteers to find out more about the costumes and fashions at Sewerby Hall over the years. The volunteers will care for, and maintain, the costumes worn by volunteer interpreters and used as dressing-up materials by the public, and will also make new costumes in the Orangery for use in the Hall. This role needs no formal qualifications or experience, though basic sewing skills are needed.

Learning and Interpretation Volunteers will take part in regular costumed interpretation days at the Hall, and are particularly needed on Fridays during the opening season. The volunteers also facilitate and run family activities across the year, and help groups and schools when they visit. Training will
be given on how to engage with visitors and schoolchildren.

Engagement volunteers are needed for a new activity for 2017: ‘The Sewerby Social’. This will be a new games afternoon every Monday, when visitors will be invited to join in a relaxing afternoon of board games, music and chat in the Orangery, over tea, coffee and cakes. Engagement volunteers will make these afternoon sessions successful and enjoyable, and will need to be friendly, personable, willing to participate in activities and games, and enjoy working in a team. No formal experience or qualifications are necessary.

Education officer Robert Chester said: “We are looking for volunteers to help to increase visitor enjoyment and appreciation of this hugely popular Grade One listed country house, which was beautifully restored in 2014 to how it would have appeared in 1910.

“We do not expect people necessarily to be able to give up their time every single week, but we are looking for a good level of commitment for all these roles. Volunteering here at Sewerby Hall and Gardens is a great way to get to know people, and it’s great fun as well, and, where appropriate, can look very good on a CV. For older volunteers, there is no doubt that it’s a great way to make friends and socialise.”

There will be four volunteer meetings a year, including the Christmas party, and volunteers taken on to the scheme will be able to take advantage of the Northern Museums Volunteer Pass Scheme.

Volunteers for all these roles must be 18 and over, but anybody is welcome to apply. References will be needed, and applications should be made online via the council’s volunteer application form at the

Sewerby Hall section of the East Riding Museums website : www.museums.eastriding.gov.uk. Applicants will also have to complete a short informal visit and discussion at Sewerby Hall.