Saturday 14th March – Thursday 23rd July (Closed Fridays except for school holidays).
10am -5.30pm (last admissions 4pm)
10am – 4.30pm (last admissions 3pm)
Friday 24th July – Monday 31st August (Open daily)
10am -5.30pm (last admissions 4pm)
10am – 4.30pm (last admissions 3pm)
Tuesday 1st September – Sunday 1st November (Closed Fridays except for 30th October)
10am -5.30pm (last admissions 4pm)
10am – 4.30pm (last admissions 3pm)
Do you have some time to spare and want to try something different?
Are you looking to try something unique and out of the ordinary?
Do you want to make new friends, develop new skills, put your talents to good use and have fun at the same time?Â
Come and join the volunteering team here at the National Tramway Museum.
Our fabulous team of dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable volunteers are central to who we are and what we do. You don’t need any experience of working or volunteering with a tramway or rail organisation, we have lots of different roles and opportunities available and you will receive training and support from both staff and volunteers.Â
Our volunteering team range in age from 16 to 80 plus and we have generations of families who all volunteer here together. Depending on availability, we have various roles from tram crew through to maintenance, events, conservation and curation, there’s something here for everyone.Â
While we do ask our tram crew to commit to minimum of 8 days per season (for training purposes) many of our other roles have a great deal of flexibility and are outlined in the role description. Whether it’s a few hours a week, one day a month or as and when you’re available, your time and contribution are valued and welcome.
Owned and operated by the Tramway Museum Society, a registered charity, the National Tramway Museum opened to the public in 1961 and has grown into a major visitor attraction and an Accredited Museum. Welcoming over 116,000 visitors every year, we offer the opportunity for visitors to not just see a vital part of the nation’s heritage, but ride on it too!Â
Our success is down to ordinary people just like you who have volunteered throughout the years to make us what we are today.Â
The National Tramway Museum is a fun day out for all the family, whether exploring the history of trams in the Great Exhibition Hall, riding a heritage tram down Main Street, or watching the workshop in action. Although we love our trams, there is so much more to see and do here, including the Woodland Walk, home to beautifully carved wooden sculptures, the Adventure Playground, the Forge Gift Shop and the Tram Stop Café.
Volunteering can be a great opportunity for many people for lots of different reasons. Whether that’s gaining new skills, helping to build your confidence or boosting your CV, it can be hugely rewarding experience. Our volunteers bring a variety of skills and experience, helping us to continue our work preserving the first generation of trams, maintaining the site and welcoming visitors. Your skills and experience can make a huge difference.
By joining our volunteer team you can make friends, become connected to a wonderful community of people and most importantly, have fun!
We couldn’t do what we do without people like you.
Working alongside staff and other volunteers, there are a variety of roles you can become involved with, and you can find a full list of our current vacancies above. There you’ll find a short description of the role and link to an enquiry form that will go directly to the volunteering team.
Some of our roles are vital to the safety of the site and visitors, known as ‘safety critical’ roles these require a good level of mobility and health. Any specific requirements will be highlighted on the role descriptions, and you may be asked to complete a health self-declaration.
If you have any questions about volunteering, drop us an email at volunteering@tramway.co.uk.
From welcoming our visitors to guided tours, our Visitor Experience team are a vital part of the Museum experience showcasing all we have to offer.
With a full programme of events to delight visitors of all ages, the Events Team are a key part of that magic. From preparing materials and creating displays to support on the day, there’s always lots to do and enjoy.
A ride on a tram is one of the main reasons people visit us and our Tram Crew are vital for this experience. They help to bring a small part of the past to life and make memories for our visitors.
A site as large as ours needs a lot of care to create a safe and welcoming environment for our visitors. From painting and decorating to joinery, plumbing and landscaping, there’s always plenty to do.
As an Accredited Museum, we hold a vast collection of materials and records, we don’t just have trams! The Curatorial Team help us develop and improve the information about our collections.
Here at the Museum, we don’t just have full sized trams, we also have a wonderful collection of large scale model trams built by Robert Whetstone. Running around once a month, you could help engage our visitors with the wonderful history of trams.
Whether keeping our visitors refreshed or helping them pick a memento of their visit, volunteers help to create a day out to remember.
Operating outside the opening season, the Crich Care Team do many of the jobs that can’t be done while were open. Taking place one weekend a month, our ‘Care Weekends’ provide the opportunity to have lots of fun while looking after the site.
From painting to machining, our skilled and experienced volunteers help to keep our fleet operational.
To keep our trams running, the overhead line and track need regular maintenance to keep us operational. We have experienced volunteers who support us in this vital role.
Once you have submitted your online enquiry form, it will be processed by the volunteer team who will invite you to join us on site and meet the head of department for an informal interview. Â
To join our Tram Crew, the minimum age is 16. For all other roles the minimum age is 18 however we do have a limited number of opportunities for younger volunteers aged 16+ and suitability is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to discuss opportunities for young people, please email volunteering@tramway.co.uk
Please email volunteering@tramway.co.uk outlining the sort of role you are looking for and one of the team will get back to you.
How long you spend with us is entirely up to you, we know life can be busy sometimes and we would never ask you to give more time than you can. Some people are able to join us every week, some once a month or a few times a year, we appreciate and value the time given by all our volunteers. If you are looking at becoming a Conductor this does require a little more time commitment. Tram Crew spend a full day with us and we ask that they commit to around 8 days of their choice per season (March-November).Â
Yes, you will receive all the training you need for your role including the relevant health and safety training. We always encourage our volunteers to talk to us if they feel more training is needed.
The National Tramway Museum does not pay expenses. In certain circumstances, we can try and assist arranging shared transport.
We will always work to accommodate anyone who would like to volunteer with us and will always attempt to find a role suitable for you. However, some of our volunteering roles are classed as ‘safety critical’ and require a certain level of health and mobility. The requirements for these roles are outlined by the Office of Rail and Road who regulate the running of the trams on our site. Our ‘safety critical’ roles include Tram Crew, Workshop, Track & Overhead Line maintenance, and some activities within the Facilities Department. We have a duty of care to you and all our volunteers and visitors, so we would ask that you disclose any disability on your application form. All information you provide will be held in the strictest confidence.
We do understand and recognise that all disabilities are different and as such, our Volunteer Co-ordinator would be happy to discuss with you how we can help you to become part of the volunteering team. Please email volunteering@tramway.co.uk
Yes, but as we are a volunteer run organisation with very limited numbers of staff, you will need to provide your own carer/support worker. They will also need to be registered as a volunteer and attend/work alongside you whenever you volunteer at the museum.
The National Railway Museum is a heritage tramway, and whilst improvements have been made by adding a smooth way to the Main Street, there may be areas which are difficult for wheelchair users. We will always endeavour to offer you a suitable role that matches your skills and is in an accessible area.
All our volunteers have access to subsidised on site accommodation. This is subject to booking and availability.
No, we welcome volunteers with all sorts of experiences and skills. For areas that are classed as ‘safety critical’ we may ask you to evidence any time served experience or undertake specific training.
We ask all our volunteers to complete mandatory safeguarding training, and you will receive full training for any other role asked of you. Our Tram Crew undertake a thorough training programme supervised by experienced trainers and assessors with competencies regularly reviewed and updated.Â
The National Tramway Museum’s policy on volunteering with a criminal record is to make decisions on a case-by-case basis, considering both the nature of the conviction and the role being applied for. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from being able to volunteer with us and we will engage in open discussion with you.Â
If you live outside the UK, you can generally volunteer in the UK, but you need to ensure that your immigration status allows you to do so. Some visas allow a person to volunteer but others do not, and you will need to check with the UK Visas and Immigration Service.
If you have refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the UK then you are very welcome to volunteer with us. This is the same for asylum seekers however, if your final appeal is refused and you are denied leave to remain then you will have to stop volunteering.
