Working for the Weald & Downland Living Museum
We are an award winning, internationally recognised Living Museum with 50 historic buildings and gardens over a 40-acre site situated within the South Downs National Park.
Extraordinary buildings, fascinating artefacts, glorious surroundings and friendly, dedicated people – the Weald & Downland Living Museum is a unique and incredibly rewarding place to work.
Here at the Weald & Downland Living Museum we value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.
Staff vacancies
Museum Fundraiser (Contractor)
Contract Length: 6 Months (1st May – 31st October 2026)
Contract Value: £13,650 for the 6-month period
Role overview
We are seeking an experienced self-employed fundraising contractor to support delivery of our ambitious 2026 fundraising strategy. The role will focus on generating income through grant applications, trust and foundation fundraising, and fundraising events, while helping strengthen and diversify our income streams. This fixed-term project role will play a key part in helping the organisation secure new funding opportunities and develop sustainable fundraising activity during 2026.
Key responsibilities:
- Support delivery of the organisation’s fundraising strategy for 2026.
- Identify, research and apply to relevant trusts and foundations aligned with the organisation’s work.
- Write compelling grant applications, proposals and funding reports.
- Maintain and develop relationships with trusts, grant funders and philanthropic supporters.
- Support the planning and delivery of fundraising events and campaigns.
- Work with the organisation to identify new income opportunities and funding streams.
- Maintain accurate records of applications, prospects and outcomes.
- Contribute to monitoring fundraising progress against agreed income targets.
Person specification
Essential Experience and Skills:
- Proven experience in trust and grant fundraising, including successful funding applications.
- Experience of delivering or supporting fundraising events.
- Strong proposal and bid writing skills.
- Ability to research and identify appropriate funding opportunities.
- Excellent written and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage workload within a contracted timeframe.
- Understanding of the UK charitable funding landscape.
Desirable Experience:
- Knowledge or experience of legacy fundraising.
- Experience working with small charities or community organisations.
- Familiarity with fundraising strategy implementation.
Click here for the full Job Description
To apply please send a CV and covering letter to: hradvisor@wealddown.co.uk
Closing date: 12th April 2026
Interviews will be conducted on 27th April 2026
Café and Hospitality Assistant
Job Title: Café and Hospitality Assistant
Reports to: Café Manager
Business Area: Café and Events
Location: On-site
Contract type: Casual – Zero hour
Salary: £10.85 – 12.71 per hour
The café is open daily from 9.00am to 4.30pm in the summer and 9.00am to 4.00pm in the winter, though hours may vary on event days. Shifts will be allocated within these hours.
Role Description
We are looking for enthusiastic, can-do people to join our busy team as Front of House /Barista staff in the cafe. Working front of house, the successful candidates will provide excellent customer service and assist with a variety of tasks including making drinks, waiting tables, dishwashing and maintaining cleanliness in cafe areas.
This is a zero-hours contract. Hours will vary week to week depending on visitor numbers, café demand and events. We anticipate the role will be busiest between April and October.
Previous cafe experience is a plus, but not essential. All you really need is a friendly, can-do attitude.
Our heritage is richer when it includes all voices. We are working to make our organisation an open, inclusive, and accessible place for people from every background. If you share our passion for connecting people with history in meaningful and inclusive ways, we would love to hear from you. We are happy to discuss any support you might need during the application process.
The Weald & Downland Living Museum is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children, vulnerable adults, staff, volunteers and visitors. All recruitment processes include safeguarding checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) screening, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.
All candidates must already hold the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
Please apply to hradvisor@wealddown.co.uk and include a brief covering letter, CV and answer the following questions:
What attracted you to this role and working at the Weald & Downland Living Museum?
- Have you got any hospitability experience?
- What does good customer service mean to you?
- What days and times are you generally available to work?
N.B: The Museum is in a rural location near Singleton, served by a bus service (number 60). Free staff parking is also available.
Closing date: 12 April 2026 (midnight)
Volunteering Vacancies
Volunteer Role: Grounds Improvement Lead
We are looking for a motivated and hands-on volunteer to lead our Grounds Improvements Plan. This role will involve coordinating and leading a group of volunteers on a weekly basis to deliver practical improvements and enhancements across the grounds. The focus is on improving the overall appearance and usability of the site, helping to create a welcoming and well-cared-for environment for the community.
The role will focus on building and supporting a new team of volunteers who may have weekday commitments, with regular sessions taking place on Saturday mornings (10:00am–1:00pm). The aim is to establish a consistent weekend team to deliver projects on a weekly basis.
Activities will include:
- Leading weekly volunteer sessions
- Organising and guiding tasks such as weeding and path clearance
- Identifying opportunities for site improvements and enhancements
- Supporting volunteers to work safely and effectively
This role is focused on improvement work rather than routine maintenance. It will not include general maintenance tasks or work within the historic gardens. We are looking for someone who:
Enjoys working outdoors
- Is confident leading and motivating small groups
- Has a practical, proactive approach
- Is passionate about improving community spaces
This is a great opportunity to make a visible difference to the grounds while bringing people together through volunteering.
Volunteer Role: Grounds Improvement Volunteer
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Grounds Improvement Team and help deliver practical projects to enhance the parkland site.
As part of a friendly and hands-on team, you will support weekly improvement sessions focused on making the grounds more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.
Sessions take place on Saturday mornings (10:00am–1:00pm), creating an opportunity for those with weekday commitments to get involved and contribute regularly.
Activities may include:
- Weeding and clearing overgrown areas
- Path clearance and light landscaping tasks
- Supporting small improvement and enhancement projects
- Helping improve the overall appearance of different areas of the site
This role focuses on improvement work rather than routine maintenance and does not include work within the historic gardens. We are looking for people who:
- Enjoy being outdoors and getting involved in practical tasks
- Are happy to work as part of a team
- Can commit to attending sessions regularly where possible
- Have a positive and proactive attitude
No previous experience is required—just a willingness to get involved and make a difference.
This is a great opportunity to meet others, learn new skills, and play a direct role in improving the grounds for the wider community.
If you are interested in one of these volunteering roles, please contact volunteering@wealddown.co.uk for more information.
Become a volunteer
