Team:

Meet and Greet Volunteers, within the wider Visitor Experience Team

How can I help?:

We are sharing an invitation to join our friendly team through volunteering, specifically to support visitors.  Visitors to the Castle are free to explore the Black Gate, Castle Keep and the historic public space in between the two historic buildings, in which you can stand right underneath the main east coast railway line running right through our Castle!

To help visitors understand the history and the current use of the area around the Castle, we have introduced a number of points of interest (touchpoints) where they can get more information and get the most out of their visit:

• Key entrances to the site (e.g. The Black Gate barbican and drawbridge and the Keep entrance)

• The wooden walkway between the Black Gate and the Keep.

• The Museum Room

• The Great Hall

• The Keep Roof

This is where you would be based, on a rotating system.

What will I be doing?:

• Talking to people about what they can see at do at the Castle

• Learning about the history of the Castle to share with visitors

• Operating as part of a rota covering key points on the visitor route

• Optional: Provide short guided tours of the outside of the buildings and the Castle Garth

Team:

Meet and Greet Volunteers, within the wider Visitor Experience Team

How can I help?:

We want to support visitors to our wonderful city by providing them with a genuine and warm welcome.

You’ll be helping point visitors in the right direction for their interests and needs. This doesn’t just mean visiting the Castle. You’ll be on-hand to give suggestions for what to see and do around the city centre and even further, for example recommending places like the coast or Segedunum Roman Fort (these are common questions in our Tourist Information Hub).

You’ll be based in the visitor welcome and gift shop, in an area specifically designed to help inform and guide anyone looking for things to see and do in Newcastle.

By volunteering in this role, you will be part of the team helping to offer a warm and friendly welcome.

What will I be doing?:

• Talking to people about what they can see and do on their visit to Newcastle, and if applicable, the Castle.

• Learning information tourists visiting Newcastle might need to enjoy their visit even more.

• Operating as part of a rota covering the Castle Tourism Information Hub.

• Researching and adding to resources that can support Newcastle city break visitors’ needs.

• Attending training and team meetings to continue to develop a tourist information service at the Castle.

Team:

Engagement Volunteers, within the wider Visitor Experience Team

How can I help?:

We want our visitor experience to get off to an informed and engaging start, right at the very beginning and as part of the visitor route between the Black Gate and Castle Keep.

To do this we are introducing two costumed interpretation roles:

• Castle Guards

• Town Criers.

The Castle Guards will operate in pairs from the guardroom at the entrance to the Black Gate and will “patrol” the area in front of this building, including the drawbridge and gateway.

You’ll be engaging with paying and potential visitors and setting the scene for an engaging experience inside the Castle.

The Town Crier will be making public announcements within the Castle Garth on the hour for a few minutes and will then continue speaking to visitors, as they follow a walking path around the buildings.

What will I be doing?:

• Talking to people in character (e.g. “surly guard”) about what they can see and do at the Castle.

• Learning about the history of the Castle to share with visitors in a fun and engaging way.

• Operating as part of a rota covering different character roles.

• Full training and support will be provided, as well as costumes for each role.

Dowload Description

Team: Education Volunteers, within the wider Learning Team

How can I help?

We need volunteers to help us welcome children and young people to Newcastle Castle and bring the past to life for them, delivering a range of guided tours, educational workshops, and family activities.

What will I be doing?

Learning team volunteers assist with the delivery of our popular schools education program.

Activities include: greeting school groups, escorting them around the site, delivering guided tours and educational workshops, imparting basic health and safety information to school groups. In school holidays you may be asked to help with welcoming family visitors, supporting trails, art and craft activities, object handling and storytelling.

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?

We are looking for people who:

• Enjoy working with children and families and want to engage and inspire them

• Are confident communicators with a range of audiences

• Are approachable and friendly to visitors

• Would like to develop their abilities to lead and talk to groups

• Are self-motivated and pro-active and can work well in a team Newcastle Castle Learning Team

What support and training will I receive?

You will receive a full induction before starting your role. You will also receive training on the history of the Castle, the content of tours and school workshops, and will be able to shadow staff and established volunteers while they lead school groups until you are confident with delivering parts of the visit yourself.