Step behind the scenes and be part of creating magical moments at the house & gardens
VOLUNTEERING AT TALLISTON
WHY NOT JOIN OUR TEAM?
Talliston is a unique house & gardens in Great Dunmow. Dubbed “Britain’s Most Extraordinary Home” by The Times and featured on Channel 4's Outrageous Homes with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, we are looking to expand our small team of indispensable volunteers and welcome enquiries from all interested parties, regardless of age, background and experience.
If you’d enjoy introducing others to the extraordinary world inside Talliston, ensuring people have a fantastic time on a day out or just to lend an organisational hand at events, this could be the perfect role for you. Your commitment is just a few hours every last weekend of the month, though we also require people to help on private group tours on occasional weekdays. We also need help making teas and serving cake at the end of the tours. And there's always coming together for our winter social event at the house where we decorate every room for our faerie tale Christmas.
Being a Talliston volunteer means access to the house, invite to private events, unique time bank system offering discount rates on all Talliston merchandise, books, homewares and experiences. Plus you are joining a group of creative and positive people brought together by this magical house and gardens.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
BE A TOUR GUIDE
Guide small groups around the extraordinary rooms in the house & gardens
KITCHEN HELPERS
Serve teas and cake to guests at the end of their tour, afternoon tea or evening supper
EVENTS HELPERS
Help out during one of our unique events, private group days and more
Why I Volunteer | Susie
“Being passionate about houses, I had heard that there was a strange property in Great Dunmow so when I moved to the town a few years ago I was very excited to find that I lived just five minutes’ walk from it.
“When I saw an advertisement for volunteers I could not believe my luck, and from the minute owner John Tarrow showed me around, I knew I had to be a part of it. As a volunteer I help out on tours round the house with refreshments and hosting the amazing events that take place at Talliston.
“Our team of volunteers area very friendly bunch who all share the same passion - loving being a part of this wonderful house and sharing it with the visitors. We get a variety of people from all over the country and indeed the world, and it is an absolute joy to see their reaction to "Britain's Most Extraordinary Home" when they visit and I love chatting to them about their favourite room.
“It such a privilege to be a part of this hub of creativity and imagination.”
VOLUNTEERING AT TALLISTON
Step behind the scenes and be part of creating magical moments at the house & gardens
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What volunteer roles are there?
We are looking for volunteers to help as tour guides, kitchen helpers and event helpers. throughout the year.
How many hours will I be asked to volunteer?
Entirely up to you! End of the month weekend tours are 3 hours from start to finish, twice a day. Afternoon teas are weekdays on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 12:00-15:30 and evening suppers are weekdays on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 19:00-22:30. Helping with teas and cake can be as little as a couple of hours once a month. Our private events are at various times throughout the year usually on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. There is a rewards scheme that offers various gifts for attendance, plus discounts on Talliston shop items and events, plus free events only for volunteers.
Who volunteers for Talliston?
We welcome people from all walks of life, no matter how much or how little time people are able to give us. The only criteria is that the minimum age for volunteering is 16. Usually we are looking at evenings and weekends, but there’s always something happening that need some helping hands.
What skills and experience do I need?
The majority of our roles do not require any specific skills or experience, just an open mind and willingness to learn. If our volunteering roles require you to have particular skills these will be clearly stated in the role description.
How do I register my interest?
To find out more, email info@talliston.com or call 07760 171100.