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Images credit: NT At Wimpole, the magic of Christmas is brought to life not only through its historic setting but through the generosity of volunteers who give their time during the festive season. The volunteer managers at Wimpole give us an insight into the important role a volunteer plays for their organisation. Can you tell us a little about your organisation and what your Christmas or festive volunteering project involves? Wimpole is a National Trust property, with a Georgian mansion, spacious parkland, beautiful gardens and a working farm. We are a charity and so rely on volunteers to support us with the important work that we do. In the house at Wimpole we have room guides throughout the year who, as well as ensuring the safety of visitors and collection, help us interpret the history of the house. At Christmas this is also the case, but with some added sparkle. We look for volunteers to help us fulfil this role at a busy time, for a short period and no expectation of further commitment. We fast track inductions and training so that they can get stuck in as quickly as possible. This has often appealed to those who are not available through the rest of the year, or those unsure if they would enjoy the role and see this as an opportunity to have a taste of what it might be like. What makes your festive volunteering special or different from other times of the year? The atmosphere at Wimpole when volunteering at Christmas is very special. Everyone who visits is enjoying the festive season, spending time with family and friends, making memories and creating traditions. You can feel it when you are in the house and engaging with our visitors, and it creates a wonderful feel for the volunteers. The excitement and wonder when looking at the decorations in an already beautiful house is contagious. It is a short-term voluntary role, so there is no commitment, which means we have more people giving it a try without feeling tied into the role. It is a great introduction into volunteering in the house, and so many decide to stay on to volunteer at other times of year, based on this experience. How do your volunteers help make a difference during the festive season? Having extra volunteers over Christmas helps us fill gaps in the rota that we have previously struggled to fill, ensuring we can keep the house open for our visitors to enjoy. Our volunteers play a vital role in keeping visitors safe in case of an emergency and safeguarding our collection, but they also add a huge amount to the visitor experience, bringing the house to life, which is particularly valuable during the festive season. Do you have a favourite memory or moment from past festive volunteering projects? Not one particular memory, but my favourite thing is to see how much our volunteers get out of spending time with us. Watching them go from feeling apprehensive and unsure if they will be able to remember everything or ever find their way around such a big house, to taking it all in their stride and telling me how much they enjoy their days at Wimpole. Seeing them make new friendships and watching their confidence grow is so rewarding. Volunteer Perspective: Sarah Lunnon, Christmas Experience Volunteer What made you want to volunteer during the festive season with Wimpole? “Volunteering doesn't have any pressure attached and I wanted to be in a happy place, with kind, festive people and a bit of escapism from the real world and Wimpole certainly didn't disappoint” How does it feel to give your time and support at this time of year? “It makes you feel happy. So many people just saying a simple thank you restores your faith in human kindness.” What has been your most memorable or meaningful festive volunteering moment? “Volunteering in the Housekeeper’s room, evoking memories of people's childhood whilst listening to carols being played in the chapel next door.” What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering over Christmas? “It's an opportunity to be part of something special. To step back in time and easily imagine how life used to be. An escape from the modern rush of commercial Christmas, a chance to chat with interesting people from all over and to finish the day with a smile.” While our Christmas volunteering role is specifically designed to be short-term, volunteers are always very welcome to come along and try out a role with no obligation to stay long-term. Check out the roles here.

As the nights draw in, and winter and the festive season approach, many community-minded folk contact us asking about opportunities to help with the invaluable work of local charities. When the approach of winter makes us think of protecting ourselves from the cold and looking after our health, and seasonal festivities remind us of those feeling left out, we may consider our own good fortune. This is a wonderful time to step up and help others. There are many ways to get involved as a volunteer and your search starts here! Start looking today, as many local organisations recruit for their seasonal opportunities from October onwards. For Christmas-related volunteering, search GoVolHerts using these links: Volunteer in your community | GoVolHerts  (Christmas) and Volunteer in your community | GoVolHerts  (Santa) You can add in your location and apply additional filters to refine your search. You can also try devising your own search with search terms such as 'Winter', 'Homeless', 'Cold' and so on. To get you inspired here are some current short-term opportunities. More will pop up in coming days and weeks, so do keep checking: Herts Young Homeless | GoVolHerts a range of events you can help with, from 16 Nov to 6 Dec DENS- Sponsored Sleepout Volunteering | GoVolHerts 21-22 November Presents Galore!! Newmarket Racecourse | GoVolHerts 28 Nov Candles at Christmas Event | GoVolHerts 2 Dec event Santa Sleigh money collectors | GoVolHerts 5 Dec event Christmas Tea Afternoon with Santa Claus in Graveley Village Hall | GoVolHerts 6 Dec event Lanchester Primary School Christmas Fair | GoVolHerts 6 Dec event Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour Garden House Hospice 21 Dec event Charities are always looking for people to help their fundraising and with occasional events, for example Community Fundraising Volunteer | GoVolHerts or Events Assistant | GoVolHerts GRIT (seasonal events inc Santa's Grotto). This is also a great time to start a new role which supports people on a longer term basis. How about volunteering with a food project or community cafe? Search for a variety of opportunities on GoVolHerts or contact schemes direct, such as Feed Up Warm Up or here's a list of those in North Herts for example: https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/food-providers-north-herts You could be a befriender , with a huge variety of different roles available to support someone on an ongoing basis, or help drive someone to their medical apppointments by volunteering as a driver with a community transport scheme. Or how about supporting families in a playscheme or Saturday club when children are not at school? Crisis at Christmas is a well-known charity. Find more information here. At the time of writing they are recruiting for volunteers for Christmas volunteering in London 2025 | Crisis UK The Salvation Army also have opportunities: Christmas Volunteering | The Salvation Army Gold From the Stone Foundation invites groups of people to set up their own Christmas dinners for care leavers Thank you for your commitment to help in your community!

Volunteering isn’t just about helping others; it’s a powerful way to grow, connect, and make a lasting impact. Whether you’re mentoring young people, supporting a charity, or participating in community projects, volunteering benefits both you and the world around you. Improve Mental Wellbeing Helping others has been shown to reduce stress and boost happiness. The sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes with volunteering can enhance your mental health and leave you feeling more connected to the world around you. Make a Difference Locally Volunteering gives you the chance to address important issues in your community. At GoVolHerts, we make it easy to find volunteering opportunities that match your interests, helping you contribute where it matters most. Build Relationships and Networks When you volunteer, you meet like-minded people who share your passion for making a difference. These connections often turn into lasting friendships and valuable professional networks. With GoVolHerts, you can connect with organisations and other volunteers across Hertfordshire, creating a strong community of change-makers. Enhance Skills and Boost Your Career Volunteering is an excellent way to gain practical experience in areas like befriending, mentoring, fundraising, trusteeship, and more. These skills not only enhance your CV but also make you a more adaptable and empathetic professional. Through our website, you will find diverse roles that align with your personal and career goals. Get Started with GoVolHerts Ready to unleash those benefits? Click below.