Volunteer Opportunities

We have an exciting mix of volunteering opportunities with Roundhouse Birmingham.
Whether you’re a lover of the outdoors, enjoy talking to people or
have an interest in heritage, there’s a role here for you.

After running a series of successful Volunteer Open Days during February, we have now closed volunteer applications and recruitment is now on hold for 2024. You can, however, still register your interest below and we’ll be in touch when active recruitment starts up again. This is likely be in early 2025. 

Please have a look at our extra information and FAQs below or get in touch via volunteer@roundhousebirmingham.org.uk if you have any questions.

After running a series of volunteer Open Days during March 2023, we have now closed volunteers applications and recruitment is currently on hold for 2023.

You can, however, still register your interest below and we’ll be in touch when active recruitment starts up again. This is likely to be towards the end of the summer for Visitor Engagement Volunteers, and in early 2024 for Kayak and Stand-Up Paddleboard Support Volunteers.

To start your volunteering journey with us you’ll need to attend an Open Day. We do both in-person and online sessions. You’ll learn more about the roles, and if you like what you see and hear, we’ll talk through next steps and start your training. We’re holding Open Day sessions on Saturday 17th, Tuesday 20th, and Wednesday 21st February 2024.

Sign up to an in-person or online session below!

Two people smiling, wearing black behind a yellow welcome desk. There is a screen in the background showing the Roundhouse logo on a white screen

Welcome Volunteer

Do you love meeting new people and chatting with them about local Brummie history? Are you a naturally welcoming and inclusive person? Would you like the chance to be at the heart of delivering exciting cultural and heritage events in 2024? Then look no further! Be at the forefront of Roundhouse Birmingham and show visitors the wonderful things we do. As a Welcome Volunteer, you will be eager to learn about the rich history of our unique building and ensure all visitors who come to site have an enjoyable and memorable experience. You will also support with events, tours, and workshops at the Roundhouse and offsite, helping them to run smoothly. 

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Enjoys meeting and talking to new people.
  • Is enthusiastic, positive, friendly, and approachable.
  • Wants to learn more about Birmingham’s past, present and future, and share this with others.
  • Has an interest in facilitating events, tours, and workshops. This is a great role for someone that wants to build their confidence in public speaking but isn’t quite ready to take on a full tour!
  • Is willing to follow a short training programme, of approximately 3 sessions running from w/c 26th February to 8th
  • Can commit to doing at least 6 shifts a year.

The role:

  • Welcoming and engaging with visitors as the arrive on site, signposting them to our different activities and telling them a bit about the history.
  • Offering tour support – assisting with tour tech set up, walking with the tour group, showing pictures and props, timing keeping, and gathering feedback.
  • Supporting events and workshops.

The detail stuff:

  • There will be regular shifts during our Visitor Centre opening hours and main tour season, Wednesdays to Sundays, end of March to October. Our priority days are Fridays and Saturdays.
  • There will also be the chance to help out with events and workshops on an ad hoc basis.
  • Shifts are approximately 3 hours in length but can vary depending on the event.
  • No previous experience is required, and we will provide all the training and resources you need.
Four Roundhouse kayakers on the canal outside the Roundhouse on a sunny day.

Kayak Tour Support

Do you crave adventure and love the great outdoors? As a Kayak Tour Support Volunteer, you will love demonstrating your passion for the great outdoors with our visitors and enjoy sharing your knowledge for Brum’s beautiful places through our tours. 

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Enthusiastic, positive, friendly, and approachable.
  • Enjoys meeting and talking to new people.
  • Isn’t afraid of the water. Bonus if you have previous paddle experience, but not essential.
  • Can operate safely and follow instructions to ensure the safety of themselves and visitors.
  • Is keen to be active and out and about (even in poor weather).
  • Wants to learn more about Birmingham’s past, present, and future and share this with others.
  • Is willing to follow a short training programme, of approximately 10 sessions running from w/c 26th February to 22nd
  • Can commit to delivering at least 6 tours a year.

The role:

  • Adding a personal touch to our tours, telling your stories and chatting to guests.
  • Welcoming visitors and making them feel comfortable on the water.
  • Helping visitors in and out of their kayaks and guiding them when out on the water.
  • Delivering all or some of the informative content at the tour stops.
  • Support the kayak staff member and fellow volunteers with the getting out and putting away of the kayak equipment.

The detail stuff:

  • Our main tour season runs from the end of March to October, with regular public tours running Wednesdays to Sundays.
  • Occasionally there will be opportunities to volunteer for private tours or for community paddle events.
  • Shifts are approximately 4 hours in length, and you need to feel comfortable moving around equipment (we will give you training in how to do this safely).
  • No previous experience is required, and we will provide all the training and resources you need.

City Heritage Tour Guide

Help us to tell the story of our city to visitors from near or far, we’re looking for Brummies (or honorary Brummies) to join our team of volunteer walking tour guides, who will lead and support a range of tours, on foot, in 2024. We’re looking for people with a passion for our city and for sharing its stories, and who are interested in learning a bit about Brums brilliant history. We want to give an authentic, personal, and specifically Brummie welcome to people visiting Birmingham, and we need you! Sound good? Read on…

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Is enthusiastic, positive, friendly, and approachable.
  • Can be a confident and engaging tour guide, feeling comfortable delivering tours for up to 15 people.
  • Has an interest in Birmingham, and an eagerness to share stories about the city.
  • Is willing to follow a short training programme, of approximately 7 sessions running from w/c 26th February to 6th
  • Can commit to delivering at least 6 tours a year.

The role:

Workers of the Roundhouse Tour Guide

A free, 40-minute, interactive tour. You’ll help visitors discover the Victorian people (and horses) who made the Roundhouse a 24/7 hub for the city of Birmingham, and help them to answer the question: why is it round? A perfect introduction to tour guiding if you’ve never done it before!

Introducing the Roundhouse Tour Guide

A longer, more in-depth version of our Workers of the Roundhouse tour. Taking visitors on a 90-minute journey of the Roundhouse, from canal wharf to noisy Victorian public works stables, right through to a new purpose as a modern-day heritage hub.

Birmingham Bingo Tour Guide

Deliver our ultimate Brummie walking tour with a (gently) competitive element, that covers canals and comedy; Baskerville and Brutalism; heavyweight politicians and heavy metal.

More Canals than Venice Tour Guide

New for 2024! Leading visitors along some of the city’s beautiful canals and telling them about their industrial history along the way. A great tour if you like a walk along blue spaces!

The detail stuff:

  • Our main tour season runs from the end of March to October, with regular public tours running Wednesdays to Sundays.
  • Occasionally there will be opportunities to volunteer for private tours.
  • Shifts are approximately 3 hours in length, and you need to feel comfortable being on your feet for a prolonged period of time. For example, our More Canals than Venice tour is approximately 3-mile walk.
  • No previous experience is required, and we will provide all the training and resources you need.
Group of people on a Roundhouse guided walking tour on Broadstreet. Two Roundhouse guide deliver the tour whilst five visitors listen.

City Heritage Tour Guide

Are you naturally curious, creative and interested in showing off the hidden history at and around Roundhouse Birmingham? Whether through the historic building itself, the winding streets of Birmingham or along our beautiful canals, come and deliver some fresh and exciting tours with us.

Innovation is at the heart of all our tours; we want visitors to ‘See the City Differently’, so as you grow as a guide, we will encourage you to develop your own tours, creating unique, engaging and authentic story-telling experiences for audiences.

 

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Can commit to a two-day training session and a minimum of two tour days a month; a usual tour day would consist of delivering one or two 90-minute tours.
  • Is friendly, approachable and open-minded.
  • Be an engaging tour guide, leading up to 15 people on each tour at and around the Roundhouse.
  • Have an interest in Birmingham and an eagerness to share stories about the city.
  • Be reliable and confident in delivering a host of tours to the public.
Four Roundhouse kayakers on the canal outside the Roundhouse on a sunny day.
Active Outdoor Tour Guide

Do you crave adventure and love the great outdoors? As an Active Outdoors volunteer, you will have a true passion for delivering great active experiences. You will be instrumental in supporting the Active Outdoors team which will include delivering fun kayaking and cycling tours around the cityscape, helping as many people as possible engage with the outdoors and enjoy our beautiful places.

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Can commit to delivering a minimum of six sessions in exchange for a qualification.
  • Can commit to attending the training; seven days for kayaking and two to three days for cycling/running.
  • Is enthusiastic about the great outdoors.
  • Enjoys physical activity and helping others to be active.
  • Is positive, friendly and approachable.
  • Wants to learn more about Birmingham’s canals.
Extra information

Being a volunteer also offers:

  • Meeting like-minded people and making friends.
  • Regular volunteer socials.
  • Full training provided, boosting your confidence in leading groups and in public speaking.  
  • Research and training resources that will give you all the Brummie know-how you’ll need for your tour.  
  • Travel expenses covered up to £10.00 a day.
  • 20% discount in the Roundhouse gift shop.
  • Discounts at nearby pub (The Distillery).

This will take you to our volunteer registration and scheduling system, Beeple.

Yellow Roundhouse symbol on a white and grey chequered background

Volunteering FAQs

Most frequent questions and answers

We have a variety of volunteering opportunities available at Roundhouse Birmingham. More information on the type of roles available can be found on our volunteer opportunities page.

For most of our volunteer roles we don’t require people with any specific skills or experience. We’re looking for people with an enthusiasm to get involved and a willingness to learn about Roundhouse Birmingham.

Yes, all roles require an element of training. You can find more information on our volunteer opportunities page.

Our volunteering roles are flexible, so you’ll be able to work around a schedule that suits you, but we would like our volunteers to aim to do at least 6 shifts a year. More information can be found on our volunteer opportunities page.

Roundhouse Birmingham is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes all applications for volunteer roles. Please get in touch with us so we can discuss your individual needs.

Our volunteering opportunities are open to people aged 18 and over. If you are between 16 and 18, please get in touch directly with us as there may be opportunities available.

As a new charity, we’re still finding our feet. We hope to be able to offer school work experience placements in the future – watch this space!

Yes, we will cover your travel expenses to and from the Roundhouse up to £10.00 a day.

Roundhouse Birmingham is committed to equal opportunities and having a criminal record will not exclude you from volunteering. For more information please get in touch.

We’ll be happy to provide you with a character reference, once you’ve been volunteering with us for three months.

Once you’ve applied we’ll contact you with the next steps as quickly as we can and keep you updated throughout the application and selection process.

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