Fancy becoming part of our story in a Hands-on way?

Volunteering at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is a fun and rewarding element of many lives. Are you looking for something special to do? Something that makes a difference? Maybe meet some new people or find a new skill? Every year, over 30,000 hours are given to the Charity by our award-winning volunteer team. Would you like to join them?

Becoming a volunteer at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome:

STEP 1: Get in touch!

Please drop us an e-mail to info@stowmaries.org.uk

You’re going to need an e-mail address as this is our main way of communicating to the team. Please put ‘Volunteer application’ in the subject line. Tell us who you are, where you live (broadly is fine, no need for your address at this stage!) and what you are interested in us for. We will get back to you in a few days to invite you to the next ‘Recruitment Session’. We’ll tell you when it is, how to get to us, what you can expect and how long it will take out of your day.

Step 2: Attend the Recruitment Session.

You’ll spend some time with us on site. We’ll talk about what we do, how we do it and why. You’ll get to meet some of the team – paid and volunteer. By the end of the session, You’ll have an idea of what you might like to help us with and you will have completed your application form. We’ll need you to have a couple of references prepared for us to contact, but don’t worry – we’re really friendly!

Step 3: Attend the Induction Session.

We will have given you the date for your Induction session at the recruitment session. As long as we have secured your references, we’ll confirm your invitation. By the end of this session, you will have taken care of a few legal things – like Health & Safety – and planned your next three volunteering days with us. You will have met the team you’ll be joining to get you started and seen them in action (don’t worry, if you fancy something different once you’re settled in, you can change direction!). You’ll have your ‘buddy’ sorted out, so you have someone you can work with while you get comfy.

Step 4: Get Cracking

We like you to spend 10 hours per month (or more, if you can!) supporting our museum. In some cases – depending on your role – that might include some time working remotely. Usually, though, it will be on site at the museum, getting stuck in. All volunteers will need to help out with at least one event per year as these are a really important part of our fight for survival.

Step 5: Check back in and chat!

After you have been with us for a few weeks, we’ll sit down and chat. We’ll do this regularly, but this will be the first time for you. You can tell us how it’s going, what is working – perhaps you have an idea to do something different, or you want more to do. Either way, it’s a chance to tell us how we are doing and what we can do to make it all work a bit smoother.

So – what do we need help with?

We are always interested in hearing from you if you want to help – but we are pretty keen to fill gaps we have in the following areas:

· Volunteer Volunteering Co-ordinator (This role involves working mostly on weekdays)
· Volunteer Catering Team-Members (This role involves working mostly on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays)
· Volunteer Curatorial Assistants (This role involves working mostly on weekdays)
· Volunteer Welcome Team-Members (This role involves working mostly on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays)

To find out more email us at volunteering@stowmaries.org.uk

Why would you consider joining us?

There are plenty of very good reasons to volunteer with Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome. You’ll be able to think of your own, but try these ones, to get you started:

· You get to meet new people.
· You get to learn new skills and/or share your skills with others.
· You will be part of saving the last Aerodrome of its kind in the world.
· You will be able to take part in all manner of exciting events and activities.
· You will qualify for various benefits ranging from discounts on purchases to free tickets for some events.

Curatorial Team - C Flight

As an Arts Council England accredited museum, we have some pretty important work to do in protecting our collections. We also have to carefully find out as much as we can about our Objects, tell their stories and do what we can to discove rmore. this is where the Curatorial team - also known as C-Flight - comes in. As part ogf the visitor-facing team, they work with visitors and schools, dleivering guided tours and workshops. Behind the scenes, the Collections Volunteers carry out the accession, cataloguing and conservation of the site’s objects, while researchers work to investigate and add to the story of the museum.

All of our C-Flight team members are trained in-house, so don't worry. As long as you bring the passion and the dedication - we can give you the skills and the knowledge!

Buildings and Estates Team - E Flight

With a site of around 90 acres there is a continual need for volunteers with an interest in, and preferably with experience of, landscaping work and building conservation and maintenance.

Mess Cafe Team - M Flight

The Airmen's Mess Cafe is a vital part of the site, catering for regular visitors and also specially booked-in groups. Volunteers help serve both drinks and snacks, as well as sit down meals.

Visitor Welcome Team - V Flight

The Welcome area, including the shop, is the visitor's first port of call for their entry tickets and general information. Welcome Team volunteers enjoy interacting with people as well as have good organisational skills.

Events form an important part of the site's money-making activities. There is always a need for event volunteers to help with such things as setting up, marshalling, car parking, catering and site maintenance on event days.

Tickets