At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with visitors, share history, and help maintain our historic site.
- Company: Join English Heritage and be part of preserving history.
- Benefits: Gain experience, meet new people, and receive training.
- Why this job: Bring Southampton's medieval past to life while having fun!
- Qualifications: Enthusiasm for history and a love for storytelling.
- Other info: Flexible volunteering on Saturdays with a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.
Did you know that Medieval Merchant’s House, otherwise known as 58 French Street, is one of the best preserved surviving examples in England of a medieval townhouse? The Medieval Merchant’s House is tucked away within easy walking distance of the busy city centre and being built on one of the busiest streets in medieval Southampton, beneath the medieval town wall that once defended Southampton against seaborne attack. The Merchant’s House served as a residence and place of business. Now restored to its mid-14th century appearance we hope to share that fascinating story with our visitors. To do so we need your help to bring Southampton’s medieval past to life!
Medieval Merchant’s House is now open for visitors to enjoy throughout April-October. We now aim to build a community of friendly volunteers who have an interest and enthusiasm for Medieval Merchant’s House. You may enjoy meeting new people, have a love for storytelling and share a love for history, or simply wish to help.
We are looking for volunteers to support English Heritage by:
- Helping us complete daily health & safety checks to ensure site is safe for opening.
- Engaging with visitors when you meet them, share history of the house and give them a warm welcome and providing a site orientation.
- Helping with recording visitor numbers and supporting with taking visitor admissions and donations.
- Collecting, and responsibly dispose of, any litter found on site, provided it is safe to do so.
- Helping us maintain site presentation and caring for our historic site and collection.
We are now looking for volunteers who can especially help us on Saturdays! We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments we can provide for you. We provide a uniform, national, site and role inductions as well as any further role specific training.
Location: 58 French Street, Southampton, United Kingdom, SO14 2AT
CLOSING DATE: 31 July 2026. Please note: This closing date may be an estimate. If you are interested in this role, apply as soon as possible. This role may be closed before the date listed here.
Visitor Volunteer – Medieval Merchants House [English Heritage] in Southampton employer: Go! Southampton
Contact Detail:
Go! Southampton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Volunteer – Medieval Merchants House [English Heritage] in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Medieval Merchant’s House inside out! Familiarise yourself with its history and stories so you can engage visitors effectively. The more you know, the more confident you'll feel when chatting with guests.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t underestimate the power of a warm welcome! When you greet visitors, make it genuine and friendly. A smile goes a long way in making people feel at home and excited about their visit.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in helping out! Whether it’s assisting with health and safety checks or collecting litter, showing initiative will not only help the site but also impress your fellow volunteers and supervisors.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We’re all about making things easy for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need support during your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Volunteer – Medieval Merchants House [English Heritage] in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for History: When writing your application, let us know why you love history and storytelling! Share any experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for the Medieval Merchant’s House or similar historical sites.
Be Personable: Since this role involves engaging with visitors, make sure your application reflects your friendly personality. Use a warm tone and maybe even share a fun anecdote about a time you connected with someone over history.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Think about any skills that would be useful for this role, like communication or teamwork. Mention these in your application to show us you’re ready to jump in and help out at the Medieval Merchant’s House!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you on board as a volunteer. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Go! Southampton
✨Know Your History
Brush up on the history of the Medieval Merchant’s House and its significance in Southampton. Being able to share interesting facts or stories during your interview will show your enthusiasm and knowledge about the role.
✨Show Your People Skills
As a Visitor Volunteer, engaging with visitors is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully interacted with people in the past, whether through storytelling or customer service. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with visitors.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about health and safety checks and site maintenance. Familiarise yourself with basic safety protocols and think about how you would handle various situations to ensure the site remains safe and welcoming.
✨Express Your Passion for Volunteering
Let them know why you want to volunteer at the Medieval Merchant’s House specifically. Share your love for history and community engagement, and how you can contribute to making the visitor experience memorable.