The Chatsworth House Trust charity has an ever-expanding volunteer programme of over 200 volunteers, covering a variety of roles and responsibilities across the estate, including visitor experience, garden and landscape, farmyard, forestry, learning and engagement, archives and collections, textiles, and supporting annual events such as the country fair, and our Celebrating the Cascade campaign.

Within these areas, volunteers provide their skills and expertise by engaging with visitors to offer advice, help and support, and by delivering inspiring content and educational programmes. 

Chatsworth House Trust’s volunteer programme offers a supportive environment for those individuals looking to develop their professional skill-set for career growth or to embed themselves within a sociable environment where they can interact with like-minded individuals and, ultimately, improve their wellbeing.

One of the key areas where the impact has been most obvious is in the restoration of our Grade I listed water feature, the Cascade.

Since the campaign was launched, Celebrating the Cascade has created an opportunity for new volunteers to join Chatsworth House Trust, each with different skills, attributes, and reasons for wanting to be a part of this significant fundraising campaign and to promote Chatsworth House Trust as a registered charity in need of financial support. 

Cascade volunteers have been based in the Campaign Hub, located in the Old Duke’s Glasshouse beside the Rose Garden, and around the Cascade itself. They have been sharing stories about the Cascade with visitors and explaining how they can play a part in its restoration by making a donation or by sponsoring a stone for themselves, a family member or a friend. 

Within the Cascade team of volunteers are individuals at all stages of their careers, ranging from students working towards a Duke of Edinburgh award to retirees who bring decades of experience following a career in a range of industries, from carpentry, finance, and chiropody to publishing, not-for-profit advice and horticulture. 

The Cascade team has demonstrated that volunteering offers numerous benefits, whether it is acquiring new skills relevant to developing a career in the heritage or customer service sectors, meeting new people, or enjoying outdoor activities for a meaningful cause. Additionally, Chatsworth House Trust has greatly benefited from their time and commitment.

Feedback from Celebrating the Cascade volunteers is also positive, with one saying "I have found it to be most rewarding. Everyone I have met at Chatsworth has been unbelievably kind and helpful, always happy to go that extra mile, and that, in turn, is how we interact with visitors, enriching everyone's life. Volunteering is great for both your physical and mental health. I would highly recommend volunteering, you gain much more from it than you think you will.’ 

A student volunteering for the project feels that it has been a worthwhile cause, for it has "expanded my knowledge of Chatsworth’s history", while another has found that volunteering has helped to develop their communication skills.

For other Cascade volunteers, it brings the benefit and enjoyment of spending time "in a beautiful place, meeting and talking to a wide range of interesting people, reminiscing about visits to Chatsworth… and once again being part of a team". Perhaps, most importantly, being part of the Cascade team seems to have brought with it significant physical and mental health benefits. 

As we move towards our fundraising target it is important to remember that a team of volunteers – equipped with archival research, enthusiasm, and plenty of tea – are spearheading the campaign at grassroots level.  

To learn more about the Cascade fundraising campaign please visit the dedicated website.