Volunteer

There are plenty volunteering opportunities to get ‘hands-on’ in the mining landscape, to help tell the mining story and to make a difference in the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. 

Practical Conservation Volunteering Opportunities

Tamar Community Trust helps maintain a number of sites within the Tamar Valley National Landscape and including the Tamar Trails, stretching from Morwellham Quay to the south to Devon Great Consols to the north-west, an area rich in mining heritage. 

The Cormac ranger team in South East Cornwall Council offer practical volunteering opportunities across a number of sites including Kit Hill, Drakewalls Mine and the Luxulyan Valley. Contact them at volunteers@cormacltd.co.uk for further information.

National Trust are key landowners within the World Heritage Site with a wide range of places from industrial heritage sites at Levant Mine and Beam Engine and East Pool Mine, to the coast and countryside properties on the Tin Coast and the iconic landscapes around St Agnes. Either contact the properties directly to explore any opportunities or keep an eye on the volunteering opportunities page on the National Trust website.

Cornwall Heritage Trust offer practical volunteering opportunities at a number of sites within the World Heritage Site including Tregonning Hill and the Luxulyan Valley. They also have an award-winning Youth Ranger – Climate Action Youth Group for 12 to 18 year olds, providing opportunities to assist with environmental work in historic natural landscapes and develop skills in countryside management.

Cornwall Butterfly Conservation carry out practical volunteering sessions in areas rich in mining heritage that support important butterfly species. There are also opportunities to get involved with recording butterflies on these sites and at other locations across the World Heritage Site.

Museums and archives

Geevor Tin Mine Museum offer a range of opportunities from Engineering and machinery restoration projects to helping to preserve, record and interpret the many different collections and stories held at Geevor. 

Hayle Heritage Centre is temporarily closed but please get in touch to explore opportunities behind the scenes or in the future at enquiries@hayleheritagecentre.org.uk.

King Edward Mine Museum have plenty of opportunities to get involved from reception staff and tour guides to habitat management across the site.

Kresen Kernow is a great place to get involved in archives and collections management including those relating to locations across the World Heritage Site. 

St Agnes Museum has a fantastic collection relating to the rich mining heritage in the local area. 

Wheal Martyn has a range of flexible volunteering opportunities on a on a regular or occasional basis.

Liskeard and District Museum, located in Liskeard, has strong connections with the Caradon Mining District. A variety of volunteering opportunities are available for you to get involved.

Calstock Parish Archive is in the heart of the Tamar Valley, an area steeped in mining heritage and stories. There are opportunities for volunteers with a variety of skills either working in Parish Archive or from home.

Tavistock Heritage Trust is community-driven voluntary organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich historical and cultural heritage of Tavistock as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are plenty of ways to get involved.

Tavistock Museum has a fascinating collection including mining and minerals and connections with the social history shaped by mining heritage in the local area. With a range of opportunities to get involved, there’s something for everyone.

This is not an exhaustive list, if you have any other mining heritage related opportunities that you would like us to add, please get in touch with us at enquiries@cornish-mining.org.uk.