Heritage Volunteering

Volunteering is a rewarding experience. You can meet new friends, learn new skills, start your career, and of course gain a huge sense of satisfaction from supporting and looking after Torfaen’s heritage.

Volunteering is a commitment, made for free, to a project or projects, within Torfaen regularly over a sustained period of time. Most people volunteer between 2-10 hours a month. We have opportunities for all ages, and in a variety of different areas.

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer within Torfaen’s Heritage. Whatever way you decide to become involved, you will be joining an expanding group of people dedicated to supporting and sustaining the local heritage of Torfaen.

We hope you enjoy your experience as much as we love looking after Torfaen’s Heritage.

Archaeological Volunteering

Blaenavon Archaeology Group

An offshoot of the Forgotten Landscape volunteer group, this group is dedicated to looking after the monuments within the Blaenavon World Heritage Site. They meet about once a month and undertake recording, monitoring and conservation work, and occasionally excavation. Please contact the group at bwheg@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to attend a taster activity or join the group or for more information on the group visit the Blaenavon World Heritage Environment Group Facebook page.

Ancient Cwmbran Society

The Ancient Cwmbran Society are an archaeology group that specialise in the archaeology of Cwmbran, although they do look further afield. As a member you will have opportunities to volunteer in excavations as well as research and attend talks on local history, often supported by university of Wales. Membership to this society costs: £5.00 per annum. For more information please visit www.ancientcwmbran.co.uk

Museum Volunteering

Pontypool Museum

Pontypool Museum has a variety of different volunteering opportunities, such as library and Research Assistant, Marketing and Admin Assistant, and Coffee Shop Assistant. For more information please contact: 01495 752036 or e-mail: torfaenmuseum@outllook.com

The Blaenavon Community Museum

The Cordell museum are always looking for more volunteers to help open and run the museum. Hours are flexible, and there are opportunities to work with archives, collections and family history. For more information please email blaenavonmuseum@outlook.com. 

Outdoor and Conservation Volunteering

Blaenavon World Heritage Environment Group

Are you enthusiastic about landscape, wildlife and history? Enjoy being outdoors? Interested in joining in with practical activities with like-minded people? Joining the Blaenavon World Heritage Environment Group (BWHEG) might be just the opportunity you’ve been looking for! A variety of regular tasks that help to conserve, enhance and promote the precious natural and cultural heritage of the area are carried out. Please contact the group atbwheg@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to attend a taster activity or join the group or for more information on the group visit the Blaenavon World Heritage Environment Group Facebook page.

Other Local Heritage Voluntary Opportunities

Llanyrafon Mill

Llanyrafon Mill is looking for volunteers to open up a 17th century Mill to the public. The commitment can be as little or as much as you like. To volunteer at this site you must be a member of the “friends of the Mill” which costs £5.00 per year. For more information, please contact Marion Davies - Email:marmill@marmill321.plus.com

World Heritage Education Assistants

Blaenavon World Heritage Site is looking for people who like working with young people to develop and assist the delivery of the new World Heritage Education program. This role is subject to a criminal records check and references being sought. For more information, please contact Ashleigh Taylor, Community Heritage Development Officer - Email: ashleigh.taylor@torfaen.gov.uk

Youth Volunteering

World Heritage Ambassadors

World Heritage Ambassadors is a new scheme that trains young people to look after and represent the Blaenavon World Heritage Site through delivering interactive workshops, working with partners to deliver projects and through practical hands on conservation work. If you are aged 11 -25 and are interested, please contact Ashleigh Taylor on ashleigh.taylor@torfaen.gov.uk

Work Placements

If you are over 18 and interested in a work placement in Heritage, please contact the Heritage Officer who may be able to offer you a tailored and unique experience.

Last Modified: 15/02/2022 Back to top