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Celebrating National Volunteer Week

3 - 9 June marks National Volunteer Week, a week dedicated to celebrating the contribution and amazing work that volunteers provide.

Saying thank you to our volunteers

The dedication, enthusiasm, and energy of our 500+ volunteers helps to make Durham Cathedral such a special place. This week we are celebrating and saying thank you to our volunteers through:

  • An Appreciation Station - situated in the Chapter House, where visitors and staff are invited to write a message of thanks
  • Tour of Broderers room - volunteers can get up close to the cathedral's textiles and learn more from the cathedral's volunteer broderers.
  • Gin and Chocolate tasting - volunteers are invited to taste the Cathedral's Gin and chocolate ranges from the shop

You might imagine that all of our volunteers welcome visitors at the door, but our team of over 500 volunteers also includes tour guides, flower arrangers, event stewards, and many more. Anyone is welcome to volunteer here at Durham Cathedral. No matter your age, gender, religion, or race, everyone here is welcomed and valued.

Read about a few of our volunteer's experiences and their roles here at Durham Cathedral.

Meet Russell

Russell has been volunteering at Durham Cathedral since November 2022. He is a Durham lad and has known cathedral all his life. Once he retired he was wondering how to spend his free time and on a visit to Durham Cathedral started talking to a volunteer. That's when he had a 'lightbulb moment' and realised that he would love to volunteer at the cathedral and share his pride in the local landmark with others. Russell is currently a welcome steward and a museum guide. 

What is your favourite place in the cathedral?

"The Monks Dormitory, without hesitation! It has that wonderful original 15th century ceiling and such a rich history. There is a human story to be told about the space which can be shared with visitors - the monks, its purpose, the myriad of uses over the years and the life it has seen."

Meet Ula

Ula moved to the North East during college, seeing the cathedral for the first time coming across the viaduct on the train, and now considers Durham her home. She has been volunteering at Durham Cathedral for 21 years where she started as a welcome steward. Since then she has trained as a tour guide, volunteered at events and is now a senior welcome steward and guide. Ula's favourite part about volunteering is the fascinating people she meets and the stories they have to tell.

What makes a good volunteer?

"You have to be interested in people - Durham Cathedral is just a wonderful place to meet people! Visitors come from all over the world, with their own reason to visit and their own stories so being a good listener is important too."

Meet Suzanne

Suzanne is one of our longest serving volunteers, you will find Suzanne volunteering as a steward or as one of our tour guides. She became a volunteer as she had some free time, so decided to volunteer one morning a week and that was 24 years ago! Her favourite part about volunteering is meeting people and creating friendships.

What's the best thing about being a volunteer? 

"The people! Meeting such a range of people from all over the world."

Meet Jeremy

Jeremy has been a volunteer steward for 4 years and his favourite part of the role is greeting people as they enter the cathedral. He loves hearing visitors backgrounds, their reason for visiting and learning new information about cathedral.

Describe being a volunteer in three words?

"Friendly - being welcoming. Interesting – all the people who visit. Curious – hearing all the questions people ask."

Meet Deryck

For over 10 years Deryck has been a volunteer steward, he started out in the cathedral's museum and is now a steward across many different areas of the cathedral from welcoming visitors, to checking tickets at the tower and still providing insight at the museum.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about getting involved?

"Go for it! It’s really rewarding, such an interesting job, you are learning all the time. It’s great – you meet a lot of new people who are volunteers."

Meet Lisa

Lisa is originally from Ohio, she moved to Durham in August 2020 during Covid and has found becoming a volunteer a wonderful way to meet people and to get involved in the community. Her favourite part of the cathedral is the Galilee Chapel because of it's peaceful atmosphere, beautiful arches and interesting light depending on what time of the day it is.

What two qualities would you describe a volunteer as having?

"Openness and curiosity."

You don't need any experience to volunteer at the cathedral, just a passion and willingness to help.

When you begin your volunteering experience, you'll need to undergo some basic training, including safeguarding and visitor experience training. These sessions will help you in your role and the team will be there to support you along the way.

Read more on volunteering

Become a volunteer

Volunteers are essential for the daily running of the cathedral. Find out how you can get involved and become a valued member of the team
Family in Durham Cathedral

Volunteer with us

Volunteers are essential in the day-to-day running of the cathedral. Register your interest in dedicating your time to help.