Job description
This is a volunteer role, there is not a salary nor should there be an expectation of paid employment.
A casual visitor to The Close in Salisbury might assume that Arundells is simply another Queen Anne townhouse, albeit a beautiful one.
However, the house was built as a canonry in the 13th century and it is the only residential house in The Close, open to the public, which dates from that period and with its location and boundaries as first laid out.
It has been home to many interesting characters, but none more so than its last occupant, Sir Edward Heath KG MBE. It is one of very few former Prime Minister’s homes open to the public. Arundells remains very much as it did when it was Sir Edward’s home and houses an eclectic and unique collection of musical and sailing memorabilia, photographs, cartoons, ceramics, glassware and paintings.
With boundaries and parts of the house dating back to the 13th century, and stone cladding recycled from Old Sarum, the walls of Arundells certainly have tales to tell. Stories are attached to treasures within the collection and there is far too much to commit to print. Our stewards are happy to answer any visitor’s question and to point out other items of interest to make their visit as enjoyable and interesting as possible.
What’s involved ?
- Warmly welcoming every visitor.
- Learning more about Arundells, Sir Edward Heath and his life and times, the history of the house and the collection, so that you are able to help our visitors better understand and enjoy their visit.
- Be a watchful presence, helping to monitor the collection.
- Learning health and safety and evacuation procedures.
- In an emergency, helping visitors evacuate the building by the safest routes.
- Thinking about the needs of all visitors (including less able people, and families with small children) and providing assistance as necessary.
- You may wish to volunteer at our events or in other capacities which reflect your skills, such as some gardening or archive research.
Why volunteer at Arundells?
You will:
- Learn something new about the history of Arundells, The Close, Sir Edward Heath and the wonderful collection.
- Immerse yourself in beautiful, cultured and historic surroundings. Contemplate works of art, objects and times gone by (all beneficial for your mental well-being.)
- Use and improve your people skills, meeting visitors from all over the world
- Become part of a dedicated and diverse team, meet like-minded people and make new friends.
- Be helping others by giving your time and knowledge
- Be helping to preserve and safeguard a key historical asset
Are you suited to the role? Yes! If you are:
- A “people person” You will be part of a team and meet people from many different places.
- Enthusiastic and willing to get stuck in!
- Interested in Salisbury, history, politics, art, music, sailing (or all of them)
- Available to volunteer for a few hours once a month, once a fortnight, once a week … or more.
In 2022 Volunteers are needed at Arundells on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from the 18th of March until the 1st of November. You can choose to come in the mornings 1045-1330 or afternoons 1330-1700. Some of our volunteers like to come for the whole day. Training will be given.
Job Types: Part-time, Volunteer