VOLUNTEER

Volunteer as part of the Stockton & Darlington Railway Heritage Project

The project aims to promote, celebrate and educate local communities and school, and work alongside a variety of organisations to tell the story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

The S&DR26 miles Volunteering Programme aims to work with individuals and local groups to engage with a variety of activities along the 26 miles of the historic route, from Witton Park and Shildon, through Darlington and into Stockton and Thornaby. 

Individual Volunteering

The project has around 15 volunteers undertaking activities in the following areas:

Community Engagement Volunteering

• Interacting with the public at events and visitors to our partner sites during S&DR activities at our takeover days there.
• Helping with family crafts, prep, set up, assisting children and adults with the activities and tidying up after events
• Stewarding events and exhibitions within local towns and villages and at the partner museum sites
  
  Hopetown Darlington*
  Locomotion Railway Museum*
  Preston Park Museum and Grounds*
  
  *Please note that these activities are through S&DR26miles and does not mean you are a direct volunteer at the museum partner sites and will only be undertaking activities on site when we are present there.

Railway Research Volunteers

Looking into related Railway topics such as:

• Station Gardens
• Medical developments and the Railways
• Railway Books and stories

In order to promote social history topics regarding the people involved in the railways over the 200 years worth of Railway History. Activities are undertaken individually at home and in local libraries and archival centres.

Group Volunteering

The S&DR Volunteering programme can also work with individuals and organisations who would like small group volunteering activities. Creating links with partners and as part of events.

These can be with local organisations such as Litter picking groups, Rotary clubs or as charity groups.

We also keen to work with Young People’s Organisations to support Duke of Edinburgh Awards, as part of Scout Badges Activities, or any youth group looking to get involved.

Activities can include

• Litter picking and bulb planting
• Supporting as stewards at outdoor events or stewarding exhibitions.
• Projects based - .e.g Darlington College Joinery department making a Train planter for St Georges Primary School.

Please note that activities can take place throughout the 26 miles line.

Short Term Collections Placement

We are open working with young people and adults to gain work experience within the heritage industry. Work alongside the Collections Manager at Hopetown Darlington for 6 half day sessions at key points in the year to undertake collections care and records management on Modes.

A small budget for support with public transportation is available.

Aimed at Heritage students and Graduates, or adults looking to learn more about the industry before committing to further academic study.

Applications open from September 2025 for start dates in October and November 2025.

Commitment

We are a flexible organisation, so if you can only give one day or a few hours a week now and again, we aim to support as many individuals as possible. Additionally open to anyone who wishes to only volunteer for a short amount of time. E.g. school holidays.

Under 18s

We are open to under 18 volunteering. Our policy is that anyone between 12/13 to 17 years old must volunteer alongside an adult of 18 years, who is a friend, relative or support worker for that individual.

Background Checks

References maybe requested after applications are submitted.

DBS checks are not necessary as individuals will not be volunteering on their own with children, young adults or vulnerable persons without an S&DR26miles Staff Member.

All of the S&DR26 miles project team have enhanced and regularly updated DBS checks.