Hadrian's Wall Country Volunteer Opportunities

Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail

On the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail we have a team of over 60 volunteers working with us. As well as meeting and greeting walkers along the way, they are essential in monitoring the path surface/structures, keeping an eye on the sensitive archaeology, undertaking small maintenance tasks and helping us to ensure that the walking experience is as good as it should be. You can recognise the volunteers in their blue fleeces and waterproofs, which are customised with the National Trail Acorn and World Heritage Site logo.

Circular Walks

To promote walking as a sustainable leisure activity and also to reduce the pressure on the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail in the sensitive winter months, circular routes are being developed in the Hadrian's Wall Corridor.

If you want to get more involved and become a Hadrian's Wall Country Volunteer Warden then we need to hear from you! This role involves regular monitoring of the new circular routes as well as providing a welcome to visitors, giving advice and carrying out simple practical tasks like replacing waymarkers, litter picking and small scale vegetation clearing. You can also become involved in some practical projects on the paths.

So if you enjoy walking, are fascinated by Roman History, want to share your local knowledge with visitors and help protect your local World Heritage Site- why not apply? Volunteers are hosted by Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd and all necessary training will be provided to prepare you for this role.

Practical Conservation Taskforce

To help protect the monument and it's setting, we have set up a programme of practical tasks working with our partner organisations.

HLF Volunteer Heritage Guides

In Spring 2009, 20 local people were recruited and trained up as Volunteer Heritage Guides for 5 Roman attraction sites along the entire length of the Hadrian's Wall Corridor. The training programme was accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guiding and all the guides successfully passed their 'Level 2 Site Guide' qualification in June 2009. They have been guiding at Arbeia, Segedunum, Vindolanda, Roman Army Museum and Senhouse Museum in Maryport over the summer 09 period and again over the October half term. They have recently started guiding again over the Easter holidays '10 and will continue throughout the summer period.

This project is very kindly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The John Muir Award in Hadrian's Wall Country

The John Muir Award is a nationally recognised environmental award scheme which encourages participants to take responsibility for the natural environment by connecting, enjoying and caring for wild places. The structured yet adaptable scheme can be integrated into an array of outdoor activities. Four Challenges are at the heart of each John Muir Award, to achieve an Award each participant must: discover a wild place, explore its wildness, do something to conserve it, and share their experiences. The Award is free and open to groups, families and individuals. It promotes personal development and learning new skills, and is a great way to celebrate achievement.

The John Muir Award is supported across North East England by a partnership between Durham County Council and conservation charity, the John Muir Trust. The project is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature, as part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme.

For further information visit www.johnmuiraward.org. To discuss how you or your group can achieve the John Muir Award in Hadrian’s Wall Country contact Kerry Shaw by email at kerry.shaw@hwhl.co.uk

For more information about volunteering in Hadrian's Wall Country, please contact:
Kerry Shaw (Volunteer Co-ordinator)
Tel: 01434 609 700 or Email: kerry.shaw@hadrianswallheritage.co.uk