Volunteer with us at Hill House
Could you be part of the community that makes Hill House such a special place?
Volunteers are at the heart of Hill House and Sanctuary Breaks.
Based in Amberley, Gloucestershire, Sanctuary Breaks provides short breaks, day visits and activities for people seeking sanctuary in the UK, including people seeking asylum, refugees and survivors of trafficking or torture.
Hill House offers something simple but important: a beautiful, peaceful place where people can step away from the pressures and uncertainties of everyday life, spend time in the countryside, eat together, rest, connect with others and feel genuinely welcome.
We are currently welcoming applications for House & Garden Volunteers, Sanctuary Breaks Host Volunteers and Event Volunteers.
House & Garden Volunteers
Hill House is a large, much-loved house and garden, and there is always something that needs doing. These maintenance days take place on the first and third Mondays each month.
House and Garden Volunteers might help with:
gardening, planting, weeding and seasonal jobs
preparing bedrooms and communal spaces
cleaning, tidying and organising
small practical or maintenance jobs
getting the house ready before guests arrive
helping us reset everything afterwards
Some people come regularly, while others help when they can. You don’t need to be brilliant at DIY or an expert gardener. Enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in are much more important.
Sanctuary Breaks Host Volunteers
Our Host Volunteers are part of the team welcoming guests to Hill House during Sanctuary Breaks visits and stays. These are currently taking place on a Tuesday once a month, so volunteers would need to be available then.
They support by:
welcoming guests
preparing meals to share
making drinks
joining in with activities
helping create a warm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere
Some volunteers also choose to lead craft activities, games or other things they enjoy sharing.
You do not need professional experience of refugee support.
In fact, we deliberately want Hill House to feel different from a formal service. We aim to meet one another as equals, share food and conversation, and create a temporary sense of home and community.
Warmth, sensitivity, curiosity and respect matter much more than having the “right” professional background.
Event Volunteers
Not everyone can commit to regular volunteering, so we also have opportunities to join us for events and special occasions throughout the year.
Event volunteers might help with:
setting up and decorating
welcoming people
serving food and refreshments
stewarding
practical jobs during an event
clearing up afterwards
fundraising activities
This can be a lovely way to get involved with Hill House if your availability changes from month to month.
Who can volunteer?
We welcome people with different backgrounds, ages, skills and experiences, especially those with lived experience of migration.
You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly which role is right for you. We can help you find something that works with your interests, skills and availability.
What matters the most is that our volunteers share the values of Hill House. We ask people to treat guests, fellow volunteers and staff with warmth, dignity and respect, to be reliable, to respect confidentiality and to approach people from different cultures and backgrounds with openness and curiosity.
For some roles involving adults or children, a DBS check is required. We will arrange this with you where necessary.
What can you expect from us?
We want volunteering at Hill House to be enjoyable and worthwhile.
You can expect:
a warm and inclusive volunteer community
a full induction before you begin, including safeguarding and trauma awareness training
clear information about your role
support from our Volunteer Coordinator and other volunteers
opportunities to learn and develop with others
flexibility around the ways you contribute
plenty of tea and cake!
Most importantly, we want volunteers to feel that they are genuinely part of Hill House.
How to become a volunteer
The first step is to complete our short online volunteer application form. You can find here: Volunteering Application Form
Once we receive your application, we will invite you to our next Volunteer Induction Morning at Hill House, Amberley.
Next induction: date TBC
The induction will introduce you to Sanctuary Breaks and Hill House, the people we work alongside, safeguarding and practical information about volunteering. You’ll also have a chance to see the house, meet us and talk about the kind of volunteering you might enjoy.
If you’d prefer to have an informal chat first, you’re very welcome to email our Volunteer Coordinator Fiona at volunteersanctuarybreaks@gmail.com.
After induction, we’ll help you find a good place to start.
Ready to join us?
If you have a few hours to give, whether regularly or occasionally, we would love to hear from you.
Complete our volunteer application form here: Volunteering Application Form
Any questions? Email Fiona volunteersanctuarybreaks@gmail.com.
Come and help us make Hill House a place of welcome, safety, rest and hope
Become a Trustee
The Board of Trustees is a friendly and dynamic group of people who meet regularly to support the work of the Charity. We're currently looking for new members to join the team, particularly if you have experience of charity governance and HR, or property management, legal or business skills. Click on the links above for more information and if you think you might like to get involved, please contact Kate at sanctuarybreaks@gmail.com