Exeter Heritage Champions

 

What is Exeter Heritage Champions?

Established by the Exeter Heritage Partnership - a collaborative network of the city’s heritage organisations - Exeter Heritage Champions is a flexible volunteering programme that provides opportunities to engage with Exeter’s rich heritage sector. We offer a range of activities at St Nicholas Priory (Exeter Historic Buildings Trust), Exeter Cathedral, the Custom House (Exeter Canal & Quay Trust), Devon & Exeter Institution, RAMM, South West Heritage Trust, Tucker’s Hall and the Historic Guildhall. 

Many of the city’s Heritage organisations have their own cohort of volunteers, but the Champions project creates an easy entry point for people who are interested in volunteering but don’t know where or with whom they want to engage. Key to this is the use of the Better Impact volunteer management system, allowing for volunteering opportunities to be shared across the project partners – volunteers can see what opportunities are available, register their interest, and manage their own hours and locations.  

 

That’s a wrap! ‘Onedin Line Redux’ was an Art Work Exeter-commissioned film project as part of their Cultural Partner programme at Exeter Custom House. Several Exeter Heritage Champions were involved, as both actors and crew members.

Polishing the silver at the Historic Guidhall.

Volunteering opportunities might include:

  • Silver polishing at the Historic Guildhall

  • Stewarding at an art exhibition or installation, such as those organisation by Art Work Exeter at Exeter Custom House

  • Providing support at a literary talk or event, such as those held by Literature Works at Exeter Custom House

  • Re-enactment events at St Nicholas Priory

  • Front-of house, book cleaning and other conservation activities at Devon & Exeter Institution

  • Stewarding at larger-scale events, such as the Heritage Harbour Festival and the Shanty Festival on Exeter Quay

  • and many more!

Joining Exeter Heritage Champions also opens up opportunities for training and skills-building, including:

  • First Aid

  • An introduction to Exeter’s history and archives

  • Confidence to Engage (public engagement and meet-and-greet skills)

  • Specialist conservation and book cleaning techniques

  • and many more!

“It’s been wonderful to get a ‘taster’ of volunteering at different heritage venues in the city. I’ve wanted to get involved in the past but found it daunting and not known where to start. They all made us feel so welcome and I’ve been able to choose what I want to do.”
Volunteer feedback

If you’re interested in becoming a Heritage Champion, please visit the Better Impact page to sign up or email exeheritagevolunteers@gmail.com to find out more.

The Exeter Heritage Champions project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Exeter Heritage Partnership is also supported by Exeter City Council, the University of Exeter and Exeter Culture. 

Thanks to National Lottery Players