Newcastle Castle Celebrates Volunteers During National Volunteering Week
Held in the Castle's historic Great Hall as part of National Volunteering Week (1–7 June), the event brought together current volunteers alongside representatives from heritage, cultural and volunteering organisations from across the North East.
Guests included the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, who delivered a speech recognising the dedication of Newcastle Castle's volunteer team and the vital role volunteers play in supporting community organisations throughout the city, and signed a certificate of Civic Endorsement for the castle's volunteering programme.
The evening began with drinks and informal networking, providing an opportunity for volunteers and guests to meet, share experiences and celebrate the achievements of the past year. Speeches from the Lord Mayor and members of the Newcastle Castle team were followed by the premiere of a short film created especially for Volunteer Week, showcasing the charity's work and highlighting the people who help bring the castle's history to life.
The event formed part of Newcastle Castle's wider commitment to volunteering and community engagement. Earlier in the day, the Castle hosted a Volunteer Open House, offering free entry to members of the public interested in learning more about volunteering opportunities at the site. Visitors were able to meet current volunteers and staff, learn about the Castle's history, and discover the many ways they can get involved in supporting one of Newcastle's most important historic landmarks.
Volunteers contribute across a wide range of activities at Newcastle Castle, from welcoming visitors and leading tours to reenactment and living history, learning programmes and running the new, free-to-access Tourist Information Hub. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment play a crucial role in helping the Castle connect people with the history of the city.
The Volunteer Week Celebration was the first event of its kind held by Newcastle Castle and marks the beginning of what the charity hopes will become a regular opportunity to celebrate and thank its volunteer community.
