Maintenance Volunteer (Thursdays)

As a Facilities Volunteer concentrating on maintenance, you will bring your own knowledge, experience and ideas to the work we do as well as learning as part of the role. You will take on the ‘handy’ jobs looking after our portfolio. 

This role will suit you if you are:

• Active and enjoy operating as part of a team.
• Practical and enjoy using skills such as carpentry, joinery, plumbing, electrics decorating and handy work etc. (experience is welcome but not needed.)
• Flexible and willing to adapt, learning as we go.
• Calm under pressure - we expect the unexpected!
• Able to work under your own initiative and independently where necessary.
• Organised and like to deliver well planned tasks

Tasks and responsibilities

• Supporting the Facilities Team across the Ickworth portfolio.
• Playing your part in the operation and maintenance of our buildings and facilities, alongside other maintenance volunteers.
• Helping to conserve and protect the Ickworth Portfolio, both inside and out.
• Making sure things run as smoothly and safely as possible – this includes getting to know health and safety and evacuation procedures.
• Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities and projects.
• Carry out minor and small-scale maintenance work including carpentry repairs, glazing, internal and external decoration, and other aspects of building maintenance as appropriate.
• Ensuring high standards of health and safety are maintained.
• Assist with the maintenance of the estate and assets, including, fences, sheds, gates, doors, drainage, vehicles etc.
• Use all vehicles, tools, and equipment in accordance with good trade practices and national trust guidance.

By getting involved you could:

• Get to know Ickworth behind the scenes.
• Meet new likeminded people and become part of a friendly
  and dedicated Facilities Team.
• Make a real difference to daily operations at Ickworth.
• Apply your existing, or develop new, practical and conservation skills.
• Enhance day-to-day visitor enjoyment by helping keep facilities at their best.
• Help preserve our places for people to enjoy now and long into the future. 

You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, for ever.      

All National Trust volunteers will be asked to

• Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us.
• Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
• Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity. 

 We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:

• Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely
• Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
• Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website 

Skills acquired: Communication Skills, Decision Making, Environmental Audits, Environmental Policy, Facilities Management, General Maintenance/DIY, Interpersonal Skills, Painting, Problem Solving, Renovation, Teamwork