Three cheers ... for Our Volunteers!

As Volunteering Manager Paul Stephenson, points out, the benefits are mutual. ‘Volunteers help us fulfil our charitable purpose; they enable us to involve local communities in our work and bring increasingly diverse groups of people into our palaces. We now have over 800 volunteers who provide invaluable support to staff and visitors in a variety of roles, the majority in visitor support or assisting the gardens and estates teams. And in return, we pledge to enhance the lives, wellbeing and ambitions of our volunteers.’ 

Volunteers come from a mix of backgrounds, says Paul. ‘Some have retired from high-powered careers and want to share special skills; others are still working at senior levels and want to do something lower key, and many come from local communities to offer their help and support. However, in five years’ time I’d like to see a more diverse volunteer base, and I’ m exploring ways to achieve this.’ For example, Paul has revamped the volunteers’ web pages to encourage a more diverse range of applicants, and he intends to target community level recruitment, through volunteer centres and community groups.

‘I also wanted to open pathways into volunteering from colleges and universities. We have done a small trial with Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, working with Belfast colleges and universities and I’d like to do this in London this year. But to attract people from different demographics we need to offer more flexibility in roles and commitment. It’ s a big challenge, but perhaps over time we can introduce more short-term volunteering, for example, in term time only for parents, or just at weekends for young working people, or just for specific events only. I’d like to offer training this year on how volunteers can support palace visitors with particular needs. I also want to bring in volunteers with specific, industry-level skills to help develop our teams as they support more diverse audiences.’ 

Lisa Syne - Visitor Support, Tower of London

‘I’ve been a volunteer here since 2019. I started by doing visitor evaluation surveys, then became more involved. I’ve made a lot of friends in the volunteer community. I work in the pharmaceutical industry as a commercial manager, supplying medicines to hospitals, but I also fit in other voluntary roles. I love the theatre, so I also volunteer at Shakespeare’s Globe and with the London Mavericks netball team as a match day support volunteer, checking tickets and guiding spectators.

‘I was proud to get a volunteer role at the Tower, and to contribute to the charity. It’s always rewarding helping our visitors. I have answered many more questions about the Crown Jewels since King Charles’s coronation, as people have seen the jewels in use and want to take a closer look at them.’ 

Paul Mason - Visitor Support, Tower of London

‘Every day is different at the Tower – there is always something exciting taking place. Walking around the historic site is such a privilege, interacting with the public giving historical snippets, talking with the Yeoman Warders, seeing the mischievous ravens...you never stop learning!

I flew for a major airline for 40 years, so I value the meaning of teamwork. Everyone working at the Tower plays a vital role in creating the overall experience for visitors. I gain great satisfaction in listening to the public’s (very varied) questions, answering, and developing a rapport, so that they walk away satisfied and happy. Volunteering even a few times a month allows you to use established work skills, meet the public, make new friends, and still have fun!’

Dana Hodshon - Membership and Gardens, Hampton Court Palace

I’ve volunteered for over 20 years – I was originally a ‘Friend’ of Hampton Court before the charity was founded in 1998 – and I continue to do so every week. I’ve been able to develop my interest in gardening and garden history, becoming a Garden History Guide, and I also work in the Membership Team once a week, supporting the team with archiving and filing. As I’m retired, volunteering gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning!

There are so many ‘stand out moments’ for me: I met the King (while he was Prince Charles) when he came to visit the palace. On another occasion I was asked to hide behind the Maze as a young man proposed to his girlfriend, ready to jump out with a bunch of flowers if she said yes. Luckily, she did!’

Lesley Evetts - Memories Project, Hampton Court Palace

The Memories Project was meant to last six months but the four us – me, Tessa Westlake, Karen Moss and Ian Buxton – are still going strong 20 years later! 

We record and preserve memories of the palace and have accumulated over 400 accounts from a wide range of people who lived or worked at the palace. It has been fascinating to discover and explore this layer of palace history. There are some lovely stories: the chimneysweep  who got lost, former pupils recalling their schooldays, choirboys and their antics, grace-and-favour residents and their various pets, the memories of Grandfather Abnett, the palace lamplighter...There are just too many to have favourites.’  

We are always on the lookout for new stories – please get in touch to share your palace memories: memories @hrp.org.uk. 

Image: Lesley Evetts (right) with fellow volunteer Tessa Westlake © Historic Royal Palaces.

Keith Wilson - Gardens and Visitor Support, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Keith has just celebrated ten years as a garden volunteer at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. He retired from the Ministry of Defence in 2015 and moved to Northern Ireland, where, as he puts it, he ‘knocked on the door’ and introduced himself at the castle’s gatehouse. He was warmly welcomed; in the early days after Historic Royal Palaces opened the re-presented castle there were very few volunteers.

Keith was on site providing much needed help for several days a week. In his first month as a volunteer he undertook a survey of all the hardwood  trees across the 100-acre site and we have kept him busy ever since!

When not in the  gardens, Keith works in visitor support and has helped at a huge variety of events held at the castle, including royal and VIP visits, garden parties, investitures, concerts, vintage car meets and weddings, as well as assisting on school visits.

Karen Pollock - Gardens Volunteer, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

I joined the team at Hillsborough in March 2025 after I came across the ‘Young Adults Volunteering Scheme’ in the Hillsborough Gardens. It was a great fit for me as I love being outdoors. I work as a civil engineer Monday to Thursday, and volunteer in the gardens on a Friday. 

Every week I get to do something different: over the past year I have pruned, dead headed flowers, planted bulbs, watered plants and helped in dead hedge building (maintaining a dead hedge  by adding new woody cuttings and branches). I have learnt so much from the gardening team and have met loads of great people!