Ways You Can Assist  

IN THE GARDEN

The gardening team at Eryldene tends the garden every Friday morning.

No experience needed - the friendly team will give clear instructions on what needs to be done and how you can help. 

No time commitment required - even just a couple of hours on a Friday will help.

Bring a hat and water and lunch. 

Typical tasks include sweeping the paths, digging up weeds, pruning shrubs, propagating, tending the compost., etc

IN THE HOUSE

The house team also meet every Friday, but other times can be arranged. 

Again, there is no time commitment required; we just need to know when you’re available so we can make the most use of your time and skills!

Conservation cleaning:

The house and garden study need to be regularly cleaned so if you’re a whizz at vacuuming, dusting or polishing then please consider helping - we’ll train you in the fine art of curatorial cleaning!

The outside of the house also needs a regular brush down so if you prefer the outdoors why not come and clean the windows, shutters and balustrades of this beautiful old house. Again, there are cleaning techniques to be learnt about caring for an historic building.

We always need minor things fixed around the house so if you’re handy with tools let us know.

Caring for the Collection:

The furniture, art and decorative art collections at Eryldene are historically significant and we need help with cataloguing collection items, recording the condition of the items in each room and monitoring for pests in the house.   A pair of keen eyes will be an advantage! 

There is also a collection of historic books. These need to be aired and brushed - this often takes place on the verandah where you can view the garden and chat to new friends.

TOURS

Are you interested to learn more about the history of the house and garden?

Do you have good communication skills or would like to improve your public speaking skills? 

Join us to tell stories to visiting groups about Eryldene and become a tour guide, with training provided.  

We are looking for people who are willing to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors.

We also need help with translating these tours, so if you speak languages other than English, please help us to present bilingual tours for the community. 

EVENTS

Cooking:

Do you enjoy cooking?  We need people to make homemade cakes & slices for our open days and special events.  Would you like to learn the secrets of making butterfly cakes or cucumber sandwiches? Then join the team of cooks and would be cooks, enhance your skills and take part in the kitchen chat

We also need people to help serve food and hot drinks in the garden cafe on these days.

Being active:

We need people to help us set up and pack away tables and chairs for all our events - some big, some small. You could help at the beginning or at the end - or do both and enjoy the event. 

First Aid:

Do you have current First Aid qualifications? We always need someone with these skills at our events.

Working with children:

Do you have any Working With Children qualifications? We have a school's program that needs volunteers to help with showing children through the house and garden and provide a fun and engaging experience for them. 

Welcoming:

Do you enjoy meeting and greeting people?  We need volunteers to assist at the entry gate, manage ticketing and purchasing of merchandise/raffles for events and open days. 

Mothers’ Day Tea:

We need people to help set the tables with our lovely handmade tablecloths and place all the fine bone china, cutlery and serviettes. 

We of course need help in the busy kitchen, preparing our special treats for each visitor to enjoy on this special day. It couldn’t happen without people waiting on the tables and clearing them for the next session - we always need help with this.

We also need helping hands with the washing up. The special china can’t go in the dishwasher and needs to be carefully hand washed, dried and made ready for the next session or stored away at the end of the day and is always a place full of chatter.

Communications or Event Planning

Are you a keen photographer/video maker, have social media skills or do you have an artistic flair in graphic design?

Are you good at persuasive writing or have a background in public relations?

We need volunteers with these skills to help promote Eryldene and broaden the engagement with the public.