Volunteer Role Description Visitor Welcome Volunteer Be the friendly face of Cromford Mills – help bring history to life while making a real difference to local families and visitors. What is a Visitor Welcome Volunteer? This is a sociable and varied volunteer role at Cromford Mills, perfect for someone who loves people and hands-on experiences. You’ll welcome visitors warmly, help them navigate the site, operate our popular Arkwright Experience (a 15-minute immersive video tour shown three times daily), and support our growing programme of family crafts, trails and games. This summer we’re offering free and low-cost activities for our local community, particularly families with children, and we need volunteers who are friendly, proactive and care about making the site welcoming and accessible to everyone. Whether you're interested in a future in heritage, tourism, education or events, or simply love our local area or Cromford Mills, this is a great opportunity to build confidence, develop skills, and make a positive impact. Why we want you We’re looking for enthusiastic, community-minded volunteers to support our visitor experience. You’ll help every visitor feel welcomed and informed, from arrival to departure, and play an active role in making sure visitors and families have fun, learn something new, and feel part of this historic place. This is a great fit for someone who: • Enjoys chatting with people of all ages and backgrounds • Cares about supporting local community, families and children • Loves practical tasks like setting up crafts or games • Wants experience in a friendly heritage setting • Feels confident helping visitors find their way or make the most of their day What will you be doing? Visitor Welcome & Orientation • Provide a warm, friendly welcome to all visitors • Help visitors understand what’s on offer – including handing out leaflets, directing people to tours, exhibitions and family activities • Operate some of the showings of the Arkwright Experience video tour (shown three times daily – full training provided) • Support visitors in planning their time, signposting key areas of the site • Promote tours, trails and Arkwright Society membership • Keep an eye on public areas like the mill yard and assist with wayfinding • Be a helpful presence in the Visitor Centre or Mill Shop as needed Family Engagement Support • Support our lovely Learning Team in setting up and oversee craft tables, trails or games, during school holidays • Help families feel confident taking part in activities – explain what’s on and how it works • Encourage children’s creativity and curiosity • Tidy and reset spaces between groups to keep things clean and welcoming • Offer a reassuring and enthusiastic presence, helping families feel at ease • Provide informal interpretation to help visitors understand the history of the site in an accessible, friendly way What kind of person are you? • Friendly, welcoming and approachable • Comfortable engaging with visitors of all ages • Willing to learn about Cromford Mills and its place in the story of our area and able to direct visitors to other sources of information. • Proactive and confident using your initiative when things are busy • Reliable and happy to help wherever needed – from crafts to directions • Supportive of other volunteers and staff, and a real team player You don’t need any prior history knowledge or heritage experience! Just a willingness to get involved and share ideas. What are the benefits of this role? • Make a real difference to the experience of local families and day-trippers alike • Help us support our community and preserve our Grade I listed World Heritage Site • Gain hands-on heritage and visitor engagement experience. Great for your CV if you’re interested in heritage, education, tourism or events. • Build confidence in talking to the public, experience in teamwork and front facing communication. • Be part of a large social volunteer team • Discounts in the Mill Shop and Arkwright Society cafes • Travel expenses. • Lunch voucher for full-day shifts • Relevant training and mentorship. How much time will you need to give? Ideally at least once every 2 weeks to keep your knowledge fresh and feel involved. • • Our busiest times for this role are school holidays, when family activities run Monday to Friday. • But we also have events on the weekend throughout the year. • We’re flexible! Mornings, afternoons or full days are available Location Cromford Mills part of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site Mill Lane, Cromford, Derbyshire. DE4 3RQ www.cromfordmills.org.uk Staff Contact Kate Crossley, Head of Engagement and Jo Taylor, Volunteer Co-ordinator We will be your go-to for support, training and planning your volunteer experience. If you aren’t sure but want to find out more please get in touch! We are very flexible and happy to hear from you. kcrossley@arkwrightsociety.org.uk jtaylor@arkwrightsociety.org.uk Tel: 01629 823256 Training & Support You’ll receive: • A full site induction • Training in the Arkwright Experience video and visitor engagement • Close working with the Learning and Visitor Experience staff team to support you. • Training on our site and where to send visitors with questions or to find historical information. • Ongoing mentoring and team check-ins Expenses • Travel expenses covered for your volunteering days • Lunch voucher if you come for the full day • Free car parking • Discount card for use in the Mill Shop and cafés About Cromford Mills Built in 1771 by Sir Richard Arkwright, Cromford Mills was the world’s first successful water- powered cotton spinning mill and helped spark the Industrial Revolution. The site is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it’s a vibrant heritage hub with shops, cafés, a Visitor Centre, educational programmes and family events. We welcome over 70 schools annually, hold free and low-cost family activities in holidays as well as big fun events like Comicon, the Beer Festival and our annual Dog Show. We are passionate about being open, inclusive, and supportive of our local community, as well as sharing our amazing historic place. About the Arkwright Society The Arkwright Society is a registered charity (515526) focused on education, conservation and community. Since 1971, we’ve worked to preserve, regenerate and share this incredible site with visitors, schools and local residents. This is a voluntary role not a contract or offer of employment.
Introduction The Arkwright Society at Cromford Mills has been successful in receiving funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the required match funding for the development phase of the sustainable redevelopment of Building 1 and associated buildings. This major capital project is entitled: Cromford Mills – Celebrating Heritage, creating a sustainable future. The grade I listed mill complex at Cromford is a key attribute of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site (DVMWHS). It is from these buildings that Sir Richard Arkwright developed technology that changed the world we live in, giving rise to the industrial revolution by creating the modern factory system. Buildings 1, 7, and 8-10, which are currently on the National Heritage at Risk Register, will be transformed into a restaurant, visitor welcome area, office/overnight accommodation, and a new function/events space. This redevelopment will conserve their unique historic character, remove them from the at-risk register, and make them publicly accessible again. The project will involve the upgrading of areas of public realm, including the main car park and provision of a covered events space. The project will also seek to broaden public engagement, enabling more people to experience and appreciate the site’s significance, ensuring Cromford Mills remains a key destination within the DVMWHS. This engagement will include a skills and learning programme as well as enhanced volunteer engagement, interpretation and community activities. Purpose of the Brief The Arkwright Society is required to secure match funding in the region of £1.2m by May 2027 for the delivery phase submission to the Heritage Fund and is seeking a fundraising consultant to provide strategic guidance on fundraising initiatives, helping to identify new funding opportunities, advise on engagement with key stakeholders and donors, and support targeted funding applications, including bid writing where needed. The consultant will work closely with the CEO to ensure fundraising goals are met efficiently and effectively, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the project and securing funding for both capital and non-capital activities in line with the Society’s objectives. On appointment, the Society’s Fundraising Strategy and Action Plan for the project will be shared to guide this work. Context Today, Cromford Mills is owned and managed by The Arkwright Society, an educational charity and Building Preservation Trust focused on preserving and regenerating the site and the wider estate at Lumsdale. Founded in 1979, the Society is committed to the regeneration of the site and to the reuse of the buildings in ways that will provide them with a sustainable future and which offers year round employment that will contribute positively to the local environment. Over the years the Society has benefitted from significant financial support, notably from the Heritage Fund, Historic England and European Funding, to repair and transform several mill buildings on site. As a charity the Society has a membership and has recently launched a corporate partnership offer to encourage more engagement and support from the business community. The Society is an active partner within the DVMWHS and is a member of the technical panel. Cooperation across the valley is being realised through critical partnerships which see the Society working with other heritage sites across the valley including Belper North Mill Trust, Masson Mills and Derby Museums. The Society has a Strategic Partnership with the University of Derby to support student learning, and the University has committed in-kind support to this project through research on renewable energies and to proactively engage with the Activity Planning development. The Society is developing relationships with the new East Midlands Mayoral Combined Authority which has identified the DVMWHS as one of seven priority areas for inclusive growth. The mill complex is a large site with a visitor exhibition, business centre (Cromford Creative), catering and a busy events and conferencing programme. Whilst most buildings are in active use, the First Mill (Building 18) and Building 1 are in partial use with significant repair needs. The Society has an award-winning educational offer for schools and a very enthusiastic and involved volunteer team, who help deliver the visitor heritage offer. This heritage offer comprises ticketed tours, a virtual digital experience and several exhibits within the visitor centre. With Heritage Fund support, the website and social media coverage has significantly improved and a draft audience development plan has been developed. At Cromford the vision is to continue the regeneration of the site, strengthen the financial resilience of the charity, develop the visitor offer and experience, broaden engagement and sustain the educational offer. The Strategic Business Plan and masterplan produced by Fourth Street and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, establishes a clear, holistic and viable plan to move forward. This plan prioritises the regeneration of Building 1 and considers at high level the viability and spatial considerations for an expanded heritage offer. This work builds on previous options appraisal and viability report for Buildings 1 and 7. This was funded by the AHF via a project viability grant and the NLHF. This built on the 2012 masterplan produced by Purcell Architects and has suggested potential development proposals for these buildings to provide optimum return on investment and sustainable future income Scope of Work The selected consultant will provide the following services: Fundraising Strategy Development and Review • • Review and advise on the existing Fundraising Strategy/Action Plan: act as a critical friend to identify improvements, offer suggestions, and ensure the strategy aligns with the overall objectives of the Heritage Fund project: both the capital and activity planning work. This would include responding to changing funding landscapes - emerging trends, new funding sources, or shifts in donor priorities. Develop the case for support, which will form the basis of all fundraising messaging. (we have an existing Case for Support for The Arkwright Society as a whole) • • Assist in reviewing the list of potential funding streams (e.g., government grants, trusts, foundations, corporate sponsorship, etc.) tailored to the project's specific needs and timescales. Suggest how to structure the fundraising approach to meet both short-term and long-term funding requirements, ensuring deliverability of the project and long term sustainability (as timing of match funding for the delivery phase application / draw down for work on site is critical). Funding Opportunities and Application Support • • Assist in drafting funding applications: support the in-house Development Manager and CEO by drafting, reviewing, and refining funding applications for various grants and opportunities. Advise on the narrative and structure of funding applications, ensuring they align with the funders’ criteria/ objectives and the outcomes of this regeneration project. • Offer detailed feedback and guidance on applications being written in-house to improve their quality and competitiveness. Grant/Donor Relations and Partnership Development Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to advise on • Attracting potential corporate sponsors and strategic partners to secure funding and collaborations that will support the long-term goals of the project. • Our current Friends membership scheme, Corporate partnerships and our emerging patrons scheme. • Offer strategic advice on building relationships with key stakeholders, including local businesses, foundations, and community groups, to sustain and amplify fundraising efforts. • Provide insights into best practices for engaging donors and building long-term relationships with funders, ensuring continued support for the Arkwright Society. The Arkwright Society is leading on this fundraising strategy with support from the Development Manager. Key Deliverables The key deliverables for the consultant will be: • • • Fundraising Strategy Review & Recommendations: suggest amendments to the existing strategy and areas for further development. Grant Applications Support: Drafting, reviewing, or advising on a series of grant applications (the form / amount to be determined and will be dependent on budget) Identification of Funding Opportunities: review the existing list and suggest additions / changes • Advice on Grant/Donor Relations: strategic advice on identifying and engaging potential corporate sponsors and partners, as well as best practices for donor stewardship. Due to capacity, this needs to be SMART. Available documentation On appointment, the following documentation will be used: • Fundraising Strategy and Action Plan, 2025, The Arkwright Society • Arkwright Society Business Plan, 2025, The Arkwright Society • The NLHF Phase 1 application form February 2024 and all relevant documentation for the purposes of this commission. Notably,; • • • the Activity Planning and Engagement Report, (includes appendices on Skills and Learning Programme Scoping Document and Approach to Consultation), 2025, The Arkwright Society the total project costs spreadsheet indicative delivery phase programme. Tender Process The Arkwright Society is committed to achieving public value outcomes. If tenderers identify additional public value activities which are over and above those set out in this brief within the aims and objectives, it is acceptable for tenderers to highlight and cost these as additional activities which the charities may or may not choose to take forward. In this way tenderers can be confident that they are put at no disadvantage at the tender evaluation stage by including in their proposals work that they feel would create additional public value but that other tenderers might not include. 1. Appreciation of the Brief (maximum 2 pages) Provide a clear understanding of: • The project context, aims and objectives and the fundraising requirements for the delivery stage. • How your proposal responds to the brief and supports the ambitions of the project. • How your approach aligns with the Heritage Fund investment principles and investment priorities of other relevant public, charitable or corporate funders. • Your understanding of the heritage, tourism and community (local – international) context of Cromford Mills and the DVMWHS and how this informs your fundraising strategy. 2. Approach and Methodology (maximum 4 pages) Set out your proposed approach to supporting fundraising for the project including: • • Your overall fundraising strategy, including income targets, priorities and phasing across the development stage to secure match funding requirements for the delivery phase submission to the Heritage Fund. Identification of appropriate funding sources (e.g trusts and foundations, statutory funders, corporate support, individual giving or other relevant streams) • Your approach to developing compelling cases for support that reflect heritage, community and public benefit outcomes – and how you manage / support multiple funding applications and deadlines. • How you will work collaboratively with staff, trustees, members and partners to build the Society’s fundraising confidence and help strengthen the charitable messaging and support. • Your proposed timetable, key milestones and decision points (may be a standalone, separate document) • Methods for reporting progress, managing pipelines and communicating clearly with the Society. • Any practical tools, templates or light touch methods you would introduce to support onsite fundraising activity and monitoring. 3. Relevant Experience (up to 3 examples, maximum 6 pages) Provide: • A short CV summarising your relevant fundraising skills and experience • Up to three examples of comparable fundraising projects, ideally within heritage, culture, tourism, historic environments • Examples that demonstrate experience of securing funding from the Heritage Fund and/or other major public and charitable funders • Developing fundraising strategies and cases for support that combine capital works and activity programmes. • Experience of work sensitively within small project teams, charities or organisations with a mix of staff and volunteers. • Contact details for two client references. 4. Capacity Governance and Quality Assurance (maximum 2 pages) Include: • Confirmation of current Professional Indemnity Insurance and level of cover (minimum £250,000) • A brief outline of your organisational or freelance capacity, including any associate consultants where relevant • Processes for quality assurance of funding bids, financial information and supporting documentation Fees The maximum budget to deliver the requirements of this consultancy brief for the Development Phase is circa £30,000 before any applicable VAT, to include all fees, travel expenses, materials, printing and distribution costs. We request a fixed fee showing your daily rate, number of days spent on each task. Reporting The Consultant will provide proportionate, outcome-focused reporting through a minimum monthly reporting cycle, normally delivered as a concise written update and/or progress meeting to support the Steering Group. Reporting will focus on fundraising progress, applications in development or submitted, emerging opportunities or risks, and any decisions or support required from the client team. The Consultant will attend in-person meetings on site as required, with a minimum of three site visits during the Development Phase to support project understanding, collaborative working, and key fundraising milestones. Additional meetings may take place online to ensure flexibility and efficient use of time. You will be responsible to the Project Steering Board and The Arkwright Society Board of Trustees via the CEO. The Society has appointed a Client Project Manager who will also be a key person you will engage with throughout the development phase. Submission of tenders Completed tender proposals should be sent by email, to arrive no later than 9am on to the following email address: escott@arkwrightsociety.org.uk Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered. Clarifications during the tender preparation period Should tenderers require answers to queries raised during the tender period, they must be submitted direct to Eilis Scott escott@arkwrightsociety.org.uk. A deadline has been given for clarification questions and responses. Responses to queries, where appropriate, will be published on the Cromford Mills website in the section where the application is featured. The timetable is as follows: ITT issued Site visits (on appointment) Deadline for clarification questions Responses to clarifications issued Tender submission deadline Shortlisting complete Interviews Appointment decision made Contract start date Evaluation of tenders 5th January 2026 Week of 12th January Friday 16th January Monday 19th January Monday 26th January at 10am 2026 Week of 26th January Provisional weeks: 26th January & 2nd February Provisional weeks: 2nd & 9th February Provisional week 9th February 2026 Selection Process: tenders will be appraised by the CEO, Client Project Manager and Chair of Trustees. Tenders will be judged equally against the following criteria: • • • • Appreciation of the Brief requirements Approach and Methodology Relevant experience of consultant Organisational capacity/quality assurance. Tenders will be assessed against items (a) to (d) in the ‘Requirements of Submission” section above and failure to submit any of the required information may result in your tender being rejected. Tender submissions shall be judged on both quality and price based on the following criteria: the maximum quality score will be 75%; the maximum price score will be 25%. Criterion and sub-criteria 1. Quality: • Appreciation of Brief/Arkwright Society’s requirements: • Approach and Methodology: • Relevant experience of project team: (up to 3 project examples) • Organisational capacity/quality assurance Weighting 75% 2. Price: • Fee scale to cover all elements of the scope of work detailed 25% above • Fee scale for additional work should any need arise that is beyond the scope of work detailed above Payment schedule: This will be agreed at the start of the commission. The final payment will be made upon completion and following approval by the Arkwright Society and relevant project funders of the work specified by this brief. Copyright and confidentiality: Copyright of all documents produced under this commission is to be assigned to The Arkwright Society Limited. The consultant is to clear copyright approval for any illustrations or other material used. The author should be aware that The Arkwright Society may wish to make the report available its website. Contact details for further information: Please contact Éilis Scott, CEO, The Arkwright Society on 07712125174 or escott@arkwrightsociety.org.uk. General information: www.cromfordmills.org.uk
Volunteer Role Description Visitor Immersive Interpreter What is a Volunteer Immersive Interpreter? This is a dynamic volunteer role that combines our visitor welcome duties with the immersive storytelling including costumed interpretation. Volunteers will wear historically inspired Georgian costume and take on roles such as mill workers, craftspeople, or the mill manager to warmly welcome visitors, lead short interpretive tours, and bring Cromford Mills’ rich heritage to life in an engaging, experiential way. Why we want you! We are looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to support the heritage and welcome offer at Cromford Mills - welcoming visitors, answering questions, and bringing Cromford Mills to life through light-touch, costumed interpretation. This role offers a more informal and engaging alternative to our traditional heritage tours, appealing to visitors who enjoy a lively introduction to the site and its stories. You will support our expanded tour programme, which now includes both in-depth one-hour tours and shorter 30-minute introductory experiences. Based on visitor feedback and booking patterns, this role helps us cater to a wider range of interests and engagement levels. Key duties include greeting visitors on arrival, supporting site navigation (including in the Mill Shop), and helping visitors make the most of their time when tours are not running. There is also scope to develop varied engagement throughout the day. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine historical storytelling with excellent visitor care and play a key part in creating memorable, meaningful experiences at Cromford Mills. What will you be doing? Visitor Welcome & Experience • Provide a warm, friendly welcome on site. This could be at the entrance, within the Mill Shop, or in the Visitor Centre. Introduce the site and explain what’s on offer in a character of your own devising, or a character we create together using our research volunteer resources. Share historical insights about Cromford Mills and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Promote tours, exhibitions, and Arkwright Society membership. Support with simple day-to-day visitor needs, wayfinding, and presentation of public areas. • • • • Costumed Interpretation • • • • • • Share your love of history with the public, families and all visitors. Take on a researched Georgian character and interact with visitors in and out of role. Lead or support short, themed interpretive tours around the site focused on running the Arkwright Experience. Use replica artefacts and props to bring stories to life. Respond to questions and different visitor interests in a fun and informative way. Work collaboratively with the wider team during Heritage Open Days, fundraising events and other activities if you have time. What kind of person are you? • • • • • • • Enthusiastic and confident engaging with a wide range of people. Willing to wear Georgian costume (provided by us with your creative input!). Open to learning and researching a historical character as well as learning a short script on the history of the site. Flexible - happy to jump between front-facing visitor welcome and immersive interpretation. Friendly, approachable, and a good communicator, both in and out of character. Motivated and able to use your initiative, especially during busy times. Team-minded and supportive of fellow volunteers and staff. No acting experience is needed. If you would prefer to lead a tour without adopting a historic character, we also have non-costumed guiding roles. We are flexible in our approach, and what matters most is your passion for the past and your ability to connect with visitors. What are the benefits of this role? • • • • • • • • A chance to create and perform your own historical character. The satisfaction of enriching visitor experiences at a world-renowned heritage site. Opportunities to develop skills in public speaking, storytelling, and historical interpretation. Friendly camaraderie with a supportive team of volunteers. Full training, costume support, and ongoing mentorship. Discounts in our shop and cafes. Travel expenses and lunch vouchers for day shifts. For those wanting a career in acting, heritage / tourism, this would provide good experience of working at a heritage site. How much time will you need to give? • • • • We recommend volunteering at least once every 2–3 weeks to keep your knowledge and experience fresh. Our busiest time is during school holidays, if that suits your schedule. Shifts are flexible and can be tailored to suit your availability - whether you prefer morning, afternoon, or full-day involvement. Additional tours, events and interpretation opportunities are arranged throughout the year based on volunteer availability. For your information Location Cromford Mills Staff Contact Jo Taylor, Volunteer Co-ordinator Jo will be your go-to for support, training and planning your volunteer experience. If you aren’t sure but want to find out more please get in touch! We are very flexible and happy to hear from you. jtaylor@arkwrightsociety.org.uk Tel: 01629 823256 Training Expenses A full site induction will be given. Onsite workshops and training will be led by the current team. Specific training to improve skills will be arranged as you need it. Out-of-pocket travel costs between home and volunteering place will be paid, and other reasonable expenses agreed in advance. A lunch voucher is provided for full day volunteers for use in cafes. All volunteers are given a car parking pass when they start and a discount card to use in the Mill shop and the Arkwright Society cafes. About Cromford Mill At Cromford Mill Sir Richard Arkwright constructed the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mill in 1771. These mills were the first phase in the development of the factory system and led to the Derwent Valley being described as “the cradle of the Industrial Revolution”. In 2001 its historical importance was acknowledged when this part of the Derwent Valley became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cromford Mills is a multi-purpose heritage site with two cafes, retail shops, a visitor centre and events programme. We have over 37 business tenants and an active education programme welcoming over 70 schools each year. The site is undergoing a long-term programme of restoration and aims to take forward the next major phase of regeneration around Building 1. Background to the Arkwright Society The Arkwright Society is a registered charity (515526) focused on education and conservation. The Society was created by a team of people who worked together to research the Mill site for the festival celebrating the bicentenary of Arkwright’s arrival in Cromford in 1971. The Society emerged from this to manage the mills, watercourses and associated buildings and eventually purchased the site in 1979. Since that time, staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to continue the regeneration and sustainability of this site, ensuring it remains open and accessible to visitors and local communities. This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not an employment contract
Volunteer Role Description Fundraiser Volunteer What is a Fundraiser Volunteer? Fundraiser volunteers play a key role in supporting the Arkwright Society staff with various fundraising activities. Our focus is on raising funds for core operational costs to keep this historically significant site open, and subject to a successful NLHF grant application, to raise funds towards the Building 1 Regeneration Project. Your work will help ensure the smooth running of fundraising campaigns, events, and donor relations, all of which are crucial to the success of our charitable mission. Why we want you We are looking for a volunteer to assist with fundraising activities at Cromford Mills. This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in gaining hands-on experience in fundraising and heritage conservation. Whether you're passionate about making a difference, engaging with the public, or supporting a good cause, your contribution will directly help the Arkwright Society’s important work in preserving industrial heritage. What will you be doing? • Fundraising Campaign Support: Help with planning, promoting, and executing fundraising campaigns both online and on-site. This will focus on the regeneration proposals for Building 1 • Communication: Assist with maintaining accurate records of donors and sponsors and help in crafting communication to engage current and potential supporters. We have various tools to maintain our records and a Fundraising Strategy and Action Plan. • Event Assistance: Support the organisation and promotion of fundraising events, helping with logistics, communications, and participant engagement. • Administrative Support: Provide general administrative support, such as managing email communications, updating databases, and organising documents related to fundraising. • Promotional Activities: Assist with the creation and distribution of promotional materials to raise awareness of fundraising initiatives and events. You may want to get involved in some or all of these activities and we would discuss this during your induction. As with all roles, you will need to become familiar with, and follow, the Arkwright Society’s policies on health and safety, equal opportunities, and fire regulations to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all involved. This role is purely voluntary, and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract You’ll need to be: • Enthusiastic about Cromford Mills and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, with an interest in its history and the Arkwright Society’s charitable mission. • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks. • A flexible approach, willing to assist across different fundraising initiatives as required. • Excellent written, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a positive attitude towards working with the public. • Comfortable using a laptop, emails, and basic spreadsheet software. • Able to work well as part of a friendly team. • Discreet and capable of handling sensitive information with confidentiality. • Eager to learn and take on new tasks proactively. • Previous experience in fundraising or event support is beneficial but not essential. What will you get out of it? • Enjoyment and personal fulfilment: most importantly, we want you to enjoy helping the Arkwright Society and believe in what we are trying to do. Know that your time and effort are helping a great cause and supporting the ongoing work of the Arkwright Society. • Valuable Experience: gain hands-on experience in fundraising, helping to ensure the sustainability of Cromford Mills and the Arkwright Society’s mission. • Skill Development: develop key skills, including communication, event planning, and donor • relations. Insight into Fundraising: understand the strategies and techniques used to raise funds for heritage conservation and charitable causes. • Meaningful Contribution: help preserve a key part of industrial heritage and make a tangible difference in supporting Cromford Mills and the Arkwright Society. • A Friendly Team: meet new people and become part of a welcoming, dedicated team of volunteers and staff. • A Historic Cause: be involved in an ever-growing organisation that is committed to preserving a historically significant site for future generations. How much time will it take up? Cromford Mills is open throughout the year. This role offers flexibility with a minimum commitment of a day a week when working on specific campaigns and fundraising events, this can spread over the week. The key is that your hours align with the Development Manager's availability, who will guide you through your tasks. Your specific time commitment will be discussed with your staff contact. For your information Location Cromford Mills This role is purely voluntary, and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract Staff Contact Volunteer Coordinator/Development Manager Support/Training Expenses A full site induction will be given. There will be training on the history of the site and what is on offer within Cromford Mills, the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and the knowledge needed for this role. Out-of-pocket travel costs between home and volunteering place will be paid, and other reasonable expenses agreed in advance. Lunch vouchers are available for day volunteers for use in either of our cafes. All volunteers are given a car parking pass when they start and a discount card to use in the Mill shop and the Arkwright Society cafes after they have completed their induction and probationary period (usually 1 month or 3-4 sessions, depending on the role) Application Process If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please submit your resume and a brief statement outlining your interest in the role to Jo Williams/Jo Taylor on jwilliams@arkwrightsociety.org.uk and jtaylor@arkwrightsociety.org.uk About Cromford Mill At Cromford Mill Sir Richard Arkwright constructed the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mill in 1771. These mills were the first phase in the development of the factory system and led to the Derwent Valley being described as “the cradle of the Industrial Revolution”. In 2001 its historical importance was acknowledged when this part of the Derwent Valley became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cromford Mills is a multi-purpose site with visitor attractions and business tenants all contributing to the working nature of the site. The site is undergoing a long-term programme of restoration. There is a variety of shops, cafes, exhibitions and a busy event and education programme. Background to the Arkwright Society The Arkwright Society is a registered charity (515526). The Society was created by a team of people who worked together to research the Mill site for the festival celebrating the bicentenary of Arkwright’s arrival in Cromford in 1971. The Society emerged from this to manage the mills, watercourses and associated buildings and eventually purchased the site in 1979. This role is purely voluntary, and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract