Bletchley Park has enjoyed an explosion in visitor numbers, and due to the unprecedented success, the historic visitor attraction needs more volunteers - could you be one of them?
Stewards are in particular demand, to help visitors navigate the once top secret site and ensure it runs smoothly.
So far this year, more than 100,000 people have already visited Bletchley Park - an increase of more than 80 per cent on the previous year. An army of volunteer staff help each and every one of those visitors to get the most out of their day, helping to tell the remarkable story that lives in the very walls of this unique heritage site.
Husband and wife Ian and Helen Seddon volunteer together, as stewards and Bombe demonstrators. Ian says “We both enjoy the interaction with people, even though we didn’t do much of that in our careers. It’s very heartening and edifying to see we’re attracting so many families now.”
“It’s great to be contributing to something so worthwhile. It’s all about the people here," Helen added.
The surge in visitor numbers is due in part to a very special visit a year ago, by the granddaughter and great-niece of twins Valerie and Mary Glassborow, who worked together in Hut 16 towards the end of World War Two.
HRH the Duchess of Cambridge visited in June 2014 to formally unveil the rejuvenated Bletchley Park, following the £8 million, Heritage Lottery Fund supported phase one restoration.
Another huge spike in interest followed in November, when the the Academy Award-winning film The Imitation Game, based on the life and work of Alan Turing and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, opened in cinemas to great acclaim.
Volunteers at Bletchley Park benefit from working as part of a passionate team, learning new skills as well as using their existing ones.
They also have access to extensive resources and libraries.
Full induction and training is provided.
Other roles are also available in Education and Estates.
For more details email volunteer@bletchleypark.org.uk or call 01908 640404.
