Volunteer FAQs

There’s no age limit to volunteering. As long as the activity is suitable for you, you can make a useful contribution, and it won’t harm you, there’s no legal age requirement. Anyone under 18 must have written permission from a parent or guardian and must be supervised when doing their role by an adult. As we’re not usually able to provide one-to-one supervision, younger people should volunteer with their parent or guardian.

Yes, you can. Please see full details on the government website.

If you have refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the UK, you’re very welcome to volunteer. If you’re an asylum seeker, you can also volunteer, but if your final appeal is refused and you’re denied leave to remain, then you need to stop volunteering.

There’s no fixed time for volunteers to give. But some roles benefit from regular involvement. You can decide with the staff member managing the role what works for you and for Arnos Vale.

No. There’s no salary as a volunteer. The Volunteers’ Room is equipped with coffee and tea making facilities. As a volunteer, you’re entitled to a discount in the café and the shop. You can also join any of our guided tours at no charge, as long as there’s an empty place.

Yes, there’s training and induction for every role. And regular check-ins with your manager so you can ask a lot of questions as you go.

There will always be people to talk to when you’re here. You can sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with news and events. The noticeboards always have a What’s On poster listing events for the coming month.

Yes! There is usually a barbeque in the summer held at our Underwood Centre and a Christmas meal at a friendly local pub.

Take a look at the opportunities we have for volunteering. If we have vacancies, you can apply by filling out the short form at the bottom of the page for the role you’re interested in.

There are ways you can help even if you don’t have much time. As a charity, we always welcome support and donations, and spreading the word really helps too. Perhaps you’re looking for experience to help you change jobs or return to work. Or maybe you’re looking for an interesting new hobby. Read on to find out whether we have the perfect opportunity for you. How much time do you have? One minute Follow us on Facebook, X, or Instagram to find out what we’re up to, and share the posts that interest you with your friends. 30 minutes Browse the information available on our website and share our history and what we do with people who may be interested. Or clear out your bookshelves and donate to our pre-loved bookcase, helping us raise valuable funds. A regular couple of hours Tell the history of the cemetery and the stories of the people remembered here to interested groups as a tour guide. A regular half a day Volunteering on the landscape or in our gift shop and reception are vital contributions to the running of the cemetery. A flexible few hours Carrying out research into the people remembered here or transcribing our old records on to a digital platform are both very flexible roles that can be done from anywhere and at any time. How do you like to work? With other people Volunteering on the landscape is a team effort and there’ll always be someone to chat to. Or in our shop & reception you’ll be the ‘face of Arnos Vale’ for the day, welcoming visitors and helping with queries. As a tour guide, you’ll be leading visitors through the cemetery, telling stories as you go. On your own Become absorbed in finding out all about the people remembered here as a Research Volunteer or helping transcribe our records from old documents to a shiny new digital platform, transforming how people can access their family history. Expert Skills If you have expert, professional skills you’d like to use to support us, please email info@arnosvale.org.uk to explore options.