Volunteering

There is scope for volunteering in many different areas of the Cathedral's life and we value all our volunteers: they were even nominated for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2006, and volunteers who have given over 20 years of service are included in the Cathedral's Liber Vitae. Our most visible volunteers are the 500 and more stewards who greet visitors as they arrive. They, along with the Bedesmen, adults' and children's guides, and chaplains (all of whom are volunteers), are here to make your visit memorable.

Other volunteers include the Friends of Durham Cathedral; the Durham Cathedral Choir Association; the Broderers who do the glorious needlework that you see as well as hidden work in repairing vestments; bell ringers; library and museum volunteers; and numerous people who arrange refreshments and wash up at community events. We have students who can only volunteer in term time, retired people who are able to give considerable amounts of time to the Cathedral, and people who offer once or twice a month at a time convenient to them.

We had a very successful recruitment drive for Cathedral stewards in early 2006. Therefore, we are not recruiting any more at present. Adult guides have to have served as a steward for some time. If you are interested in volunteering to help the Friends of Durham Cathedral or the Durham Cathedral Choir Association, please make direct contact with them. Enquiries concerning working with the Broderers should be sent to enquiries@durhamcathedral.co.uk.

All volunteers who will be in contact with the public need a Criminal Record Bureau check which the Cathedral will arrange. Introductory training appropriate to the role for which you have volunteered is provided.