The Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey are in ‘urgent’ need of volunteers in a wide range of areas. 

The museum, which is located on Ely Road in Waterbeach, is looking for those who can help with gardening and site management, as well as retail, café and kitchen staff. 

The museum itself tells the 850-year story of farming and life in the Cambridgeshire Fens, with hands-on and interactive exhibits, in addition to being the location of Denny Abbey, the former Benedictine monastery which is managed on behalf of English Heritage. 

A spokesperson for The Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey said: “Since Covid, there has been a drop in volunteering across the heritage sector which has impacted museums and heritage sites across the county, putting their futures at risk. 

“Many local museums rely heavily on their volunteers to be able to open their doors and allow people to access our sites of interest, beauty and heritage.” 

They added: “Young people, newly on the job market, are struggling to find those first steps vitally needed to build good careers. 

“Volunteering is a good way to develop their CV’s, find referees, gain skills and recognised qualifications.” 

At The Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey, volunteers will have the opportunity to gain valuable training, for example a food hygiene and health and safety certification. 

They will also have the chance to meet new people and make new friends. 

There is a volunteer recruitment open day on March 4 from 10:30am until 2pm offering those interested (and over 18) the opportunity to find out more about what is on offer and what they could do. 

There will be coffee, tea and cake plus the opportunity for a chat with the volunteers as they get the museum ready to open for the season.