Become a volunteer
Looking for a way to make friends and contribute to your community? Share our passion for the history and heritage of Sussex? Why not apply to become a volunteer for Sussex Past?
Volunteers generously give their time to help preserve, protect and promote the history of our region. As a registered charity, we simply couldn’t deliver our mission without them.
In exchange, they get the chance to indulge their love of history, make friends with fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy up-close access to our collections and historic sites.
For a list of current vacancies at our properties and sites, please scroll down.
What can I do as a volunteer?
There are lots of opportunities for volunteers to get hands-on with history. Whatever your interests, we’ll try to match you with a rewarding role you’ll really enjoy. Current volunteers are involved in tasks like:
– Cataloguing in our extensive library at Lewes Castle
– Gardening at Michelham Priory, Fishbourne Roman Palace or Lewes Castle
– Welcoming visitors to our historic sites as a museum or house guide
– Selling locally sourced products and gorgeous gifts in our on-site shops
– Providing invaluable admin support behind the scenes
Who volunteers… and why?
People volunteer with us for lots of reasons. We have young people gaining work experience in the heritage sector, retirees who finally have time to indulge their passion for the past, and everyone in between. What unites them is their fascination for the history of our county.
By volunteering, they get to:
– Enjoy closer interactions with our collections and artefacts
– Develop deeper expertise in Sussex’s fascinating history
– Make friends with fellow heritage enthusiasts
– Share their expertise with visitors to our museums and historic sites
– Become a valued part of a dedicated team
Current vacancies
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Education Volunteer
Support our learning team to deliver their programme of primary, secondary or adult learning classes.
Garden Volunteer
A variety of roles but a great opportunity to work outdoors, meet new people, improve your mental health and wellbeing, and work on one of the oldest planted gardens in Britain.
Lewes Castle & Museum, and Anne of Cleves House
Tour Guide Volunteer
As a tour guide you will help us to deliver guided visits in a number of ways, from delivering tours to visiting groups, to being a friendly presence around the sites answering ad-hoc questions from the public and helping to run drop-in workshops during holiday periods.
Click here for role description
Museum Engagement Volunteer
This role will mainly be based at our reception desk in our gift shop at either of our two Lewes visitor attractions. This is where visitors first arrive when they visit our sites, buy tickets and start to learn about what they can see during their visit.
Click here for role description
Garden Volunteer
Our gardens are a beautiful and important element of all our historical sites, and we are looking for individuals to come and join our friendly volunteer team who help keep them maintained.
Click here for role description
Michelham Priory House & Gardens
Garden Volunteer
A variety of roles but a great opportunity to work outdoors, meet new people, improve your mental health and wellbeing, and work in some of the most scenic gardens in East Sussex.
Marlipins Museum
Visitor Services Volunteer
Support the volunteer team at this maritime and local history museum in the heart of Shoreham-by-Sea. Experience of using touch screen tills desirable but not essential.
How do I volunteer?
If you are interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you.
To find out more or ask any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We can answer any questions you may have and give a little more information to see if the role might just be right for you. Please specify which property you’re interested in volunteering at when contacting us.
For further information email: anniewills@sussexpast.co.uk
Phone: 01273 486290 (to leave contact details for Annie Wills)