Volunteers win praise for keeping up a place in history

The army of volunteers who give up their time to help out at Harewood House, near Leeds, are being praised as part of National Volunteers’ Week – which starts tomorrow. The occasion sets out to recognise the vital role played by volunteers across the UK.

Working both behind the scenes and “front-of-house”, the dedicated Harewood team includes room stewards, shuttle drivers, gardeners, bird garden rangers and book shop staff.

Praising the volunteers yesterday, Harewood’s chief executive Mike Schafer said: “The 2012 London Olympics has drawn attention to the value of volunteers; although not on the same scale, we have welcomed volunteers for over 20 years.

“They are an integral part of the team, providing an exceptional experience for our visitors and ensuring they enjoy their day.”

Many of the estate’s volunteers have worked there for several years, firmly establishing themselves as what management describe as “the life-blood of Harewood”.

As an educational charitable trust, the estate is responsible for finding its own income.

The volunteers therefore play an integral role in making sure its managers can afford to keep the house and grounds in the best possible condition to welcome visitors each year.

In return, volunteers receive free admission to the house and grounds as they do their bit to help preserve one of the country’s most historic properties and one of region’s most popular tourist attractions.

Volunteer co-ordinator Richard Brice said: “Our diverse group of volunteers keeps Harewood running smoothly.

“They are a pleasure to work with and being new to the team myself, I’m continually surprised by their vast knowledge and enthusiasm for Harewood.

“We like to appreciate and recognise their hard work each day, as well as on this special week.”

Among them is Shannon Cross who grabbed the chance to indulge her long-time love of country houses by volunteering as a room steward, meeting and greeting visitors and chatting to them about the various rooms and their contents.

She said: “I was lucky enough to visit many historic houses as a child and my interest grew when I studied country houses in GCSE history.

“I’ve been hooked ever since, and in fact my GCSE history teacher is now a tour guide in the house.

“Volunteering at Harewood has inspired me to further my studies at Leeds University, and I am currently earning my degree in history of art with museum studies. 

“I would definitely recommend volunteering at Harewood as it is a chance to keep this history alive, meet new friends, gain experience and confidence.”

As well as the house, Harewood is also home to more than 100 acres of gardens, which feature plants from all over the world and are set in the famous landscape created by Lancelot “Capability” Brown.

For working mother Tracey Watkins, they are also a respite from her hectic home life.

Ms Watkins, a senior volunteer gardener, has been volunteering at the house now for more than a decade. She said: “I started volunteering to get some ‘me time’ away from the children.

“I can really recommend it for all parents, it’s very therapeutic with no clocks and no four walls.”

She added: “I’ve been volunteering at Harewood for 12 years now alongside my day job, and it’s turning out to be a new career plan for me.

“The camaraderie in the gardens is great; I’ve made a lot of friends over the years.”

National Volunteers’ Week is now in its 29th year and is run by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

NVCO volunteering director Justin Davis Smith said: “Volunteers’ Week is a fabulous opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate volunteers and the incredible contribution they make to our communities.

“Volunteers are an integral part of our society, and without their dedication, energy and commitment, many of the services we take for granted would simply grind to a halt.

“But the magic of volunteering is that it is a two-way relationship.

“So alongside the contribution to our local communities, volunteers also benefit tremendously from the experience.”

Harewood was designed by the architects John Carr and Robert Adam and built between 1759 to 1771 for wealthy trader Edwin Lascelles, the first Baron Harewood

Harewood now wants to recruit more volunteers – and further details about the opportunities have been posted on their website – at www.harewood.org/join-the-team/volunteer.