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Become a volunteer

The dedication, enthusiasm, and energy of our 500+ volunteers helps to make Durham Cathedral such a special place.

Who can volunteer?

Anyone is welcome to volunteer here at Durham Cathedral. No matter your age, gender, religion, or race, everyone here is welcomed and valued. 

There are lots of reasons you might feel connected to the cathedral. Perhaps you feel inspired by the history, supported by the community, or uplifted by the cathedral's identity. 

How can I help?

Volunteering at Durham Cathedral is a personal experience, and we want to tailor our roles to best suit you. 

You might imagine that all of our volunteers welcome visitors on the door, but our team of over 500 volunteers also includes broderers, flower arrangers, event stewards, and many more. 

If you feel that you have any skills which would be suited to a volunteering role, complete our enquiries form and we will discuss how you can help. 

Complete an enquiry form

Why should I get involved?

Volunteering is a personal experience, and each volunteer joins us for different reasons. 

Maybe you want to increase your experience to enhance your CV, maybe you would like to meet new people and be a part of the cathedral community, or maybe you'd love to be surrounded by the rich history of the cathedral and be part of the generations who have supported us for 1000 years.

Do I need any experience?

You don't need any experience to volunteer at the cathedral, just a passion and willingness to help.

When you begin your volunteering experience, you'll need to undergo some basic training, including safeguarding and visitor experience training. These sessions will help you in your role and the team will be there to support you along the way. 

“It's the people, the wonderful visitors, that have kept me volunteering for over 24 years here. I very much enjoy making people feel welcome, telling the cathedrals stories and sharing my love of this special place.”

Rob Lawson
Volunteer tour guide and welcome steward

Available opportunities

Cathedral Patrol Volunteer

Support the security and safety of the Cathedral by providing a reassuring presence for staff, volunteers and visitors.
A close up shot of a volunteer pointing upwards

Visitor Experience Volunteer

Support the important and long Benedictine tradition of welcoming everyone to the cathedral and museum.

Market Research Volunteer

Work alongside the busy Marketing & Digital team to conduct surveys, support the collation of data and looking out for trends in data.

Learning and Engagement Volunteer

Deliver a range of guided visits and workshops to schools and colleges, along with family activities.