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.
Take a look at the opportunities listed in the table below. If you see an opportunity you like, please get in touch with us.
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. Young volunteers can only volunteer for 3 hours at most per day during events or stewarding.
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. If required at any point, the cost will be covered by the project.
All of the S&DR26 miles project team have enhanced and regularly updated DBS checks.
Assistance to Volunteer
The project can help cover the cost of public transport via pre-paid Railway tickets. Covering admission costs to sites. Providing free refreshments and some snacks during short volunteering sessions or a meal deal lunch for sessions over 4 hours.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Would you like to engage with the community and visitors across Hopetown Darlington, Locomotion and Preston Park??
Duties will include:
- Interacting with the public at events, group activities and stewarding exhibitions.
- Helping families get crafty with family friendly activities – handing out materials, keeping the area clean and tidy and setting up and tidying away
- Encouraging visitors to write down their railway related memories on our memory postcards
- Asking the public to answer short surveys based on their experiences
Volunteers will receive regular opportunity emails where they can pick and choose what they get involved with to suit their availability.
Volunteers can do this individually or as part of a small volunteering group to research different railway themes, to help create information boards and school resources. Activities are undertaken individually at home and in local libraries and archival centres.
Topics so far have been:
- Railway Station Gardens
- Railway Books and stories including Agatha Christie, WHSmith, Penguin Publishing and Thomas the Tank Engine!
Upcoming topics:
- Railway Stations of the Stockton and Darlington railway route
- Railway Crime and Policing
For those who only have a few hours to spare now and again. Come and visit one of our 3 museum partners
- Hopetown Darlington
- Locomotion
- Preston Park Museum
And choose one or two of the objects on the site to champion by writing up the info on the display board and why you have chosen it – e.g. a memory of yours, celebrates a moment in time or if it relates to something you have been studying. Optional extra is to look into the object further.
Museum objects will then be chosen by the S&DR26 team to be highlighted on the projects social media sites – Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Posts may even be picked up by the Museums themselves to promote their own collection.
This is a flexible role as and when you’re available. You can choose which museum to volunteer in. Admission is covered by the project and if needed transport via pre-paid railway tickets can be issued.
Are you an avid reader and wish to help other people choose new stories? Then our Railway Readers Book Club is for you. Volunteers are asked to read a railway related fiction story – which can be of any genre, railways can be the main feature or a chapter is set on the train or railway station. All that is required is to write a short review 100-300 words about the story, which can feature the characters, the place in which its set and if you liked it and why.
We have a small collection of books already purchased, but would always encourage people to buy second hand or grab a copy at your local library.
No set times, just as and when you are able.
Opportunities to support events such as World Book Day or help with Bookish activities such as Date with a Book mini reviews and wrapping needed.
The S&DR Volunteering programme can also provide activities
- with individuals and organisations who have the ability to undertake volunteering days as part of their employer.
- local scout, brownie and rainbows for achieving their accomplishment badges.
- Duke of Edinburgh students via their school.
- opportunities for students or apprentices within companies
- And any Community Interest Groups or associations such as Rotary clubs, Women’s Institute or charities looking to get involved.
Activities can include
- Litter picking and bulb planting
- Supporting as stewards at outdoor events or stewarding exhibitions.
- Projects based
We are 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 June 2026 for placements from September 2026 to March 2027.
Find out more about the Station Garden Volunteering opportunities at Hopetown Darlington.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
If you or your organisation are interested in any of the above opportunities please get in touch
