Announcements

Volunteering

Running a heritage railway requires a diverse range of people and skills. There are over 30 different volunteer roles at the Avon Valley Railway and, between them, our existing volunteers contribute over 30,000 hours a year to our cause. However, if we are to continue to grow, we need your help.

We’ve produced a Guide to Volunteering which gives more information about us and how you can get involved. It provides some introductory information on the roles we have available, and how we recruit new volunteers into the team. We’re a fairly small charity so, in order to provide the best possible welcome, we don’t recruit new volunteers all of the time. Instead, we have a more targeted approach where we aim to welcome people for specific roles at different times of the year or as the need arises. That way we can maximise the impact of a recruitment campaign and new volunteers will be supported by other like-minded people as they start their volunteering time with us. To download a copy click on the link below;

AVR Guide to Volunteering

Current Opportunities

Infrastructure
We’re looking to grow our team of volunteers who help us manage our lineside infrastructure and permanent way (the track). You’ll be someone who likes working outdoors and are reasonably fit. You also be willing to get stuck in on tasks such as track repairs, moving ballast, lifting sleepers, changing rails etc. It’s physical work at times, but very rewarding, and is cheaper than gym membership! This work generally takes place during the week.

Engineering
We are looking for new volunteers to join our engineering department. Come along and meet our volunteers to find out about the different job roles we have within the department.

Young Volunteers
Our Young Volunteers Group is back! Aimed at 14-16 year olds, our Young Volunteers Group will assist with various projects around the railway to give an insight into AVR.

Visitor Services
Our 2024 season is just around the corner. Visitor Services covers a range of roles including selling tickets in our booking office, serving in our shop, providing assistance to passengers on the platform and travelling on our trains to check tickets. Our VS roles are also a great stepping stone into other departments within the railway. For more information, please complete the form below and we will be in touch shortly.

Fundraising
The last few years have been a very difficult time for most charities and we are now looking to recreate our fundraising team. We are looking for people who enjoy talking to others and who feel comfortable approaching people. This could be anything from selling raffle tickets from a stall at Bitton station on an operating day to attending a local show to help promote the railway and our charitable aims, provide more information on membership and all other things going on at the railway. If this sounds like something for you, then please get in touch!

On-Train Catering
Every year, our popular dining trains are sold out. We are looking for new volunteers to join our on-train team to serve meals in our first-class carriages. The trains mostly operate on Saturdays and Sundays with occasional Wednesdays too. We also run about 5 evenings a year for our Murder Mystery nights. Duties include serving meals to our customers, taking drinks orders and providing a high level of customer service to ensure passengers enjoy their visit and want to come back again. For more information, please complete the form below and we will be in touch shortly.


 

To express your interest in volunteering at the railway, for any department, please complete the form below and our Volunteering Officer will be in touch shortly to discuss the opportunities available.

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