Volunteer Hub
National Trust Bloomtown Launch Event Volunteers
Organisation Details
Heaton Park
Sub theme: Environment, Health and Wellbeing
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: The biggest and best park in the North West! Heaton Park is located four miles north of the city centre and is one of the largest municipal parks in Europe. The park covers 247 hectares of parkland and is ringed by the former mill towns of Oldham, Rochdale and Bury.
The park is a Grade II listed park on English Heritage's Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, Heaton Park contains 8 listed structures including the splendid Grade I listed Heaton Hall, and has been a Green Flag Award winning park since 2005!
Its spectacular, gently rolling scenery provides an attractive setting for leisure activities for visitors of all ages. It is also a memorable setting for many outdoor events, like summer fun days and family workshops, funfairs, concerts and other major events. There's an 18-hole and an 18-hole pitch and putt on site. There are four on-site cafes, located at The Farm Centre, the Lakeside, in the Golf Centre and the Garden Centre. All serving hot and cold food and drinks.
Manchester City Council manages the park in partnership with commercial organisations and community groups and together they make a visit to Heaton Park a great day out for the whole family.
The park is a Grade II listed park on English Heritage's Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, Heaton Park contains 8 listed structures including the splendid Grade I listed Heaton Hall, and has been a Green Flag Award winning park since 2005!
Its spectacular, gently rolling scenery provides an attractive setting for leisure activities for visitors of all ages. It is also a memorable setting for many outdoor events, like summer fun days and family workshops, funfairs, concerts and other major events. There's an 18-hole and an 18-hole pitch and putt on site. There are four on-site cafes, located at The Farm Centre, the Lakeside, in the Golf Centre and the Garden Centre. All serving hot and cold food and drinks.
Manchester City Council manages the park in partnership with commercial organisations and community groups and together they make a visit to Heaton Park a great day out for the whole family.
Description of role: Volunteer with us for the launch of Bloomtown 2026
Bloomtown is a feel‑good spring campaign by the National Trust that runs every March to May, celebrating all the gorgeous blossom appearing across Manchester and Greater Manchester.
It highlights around 40 blossom hotspots through the Bloomtown map, a simple guide that helps you find the best blossom spots across the city. Alongside the map, there’s a fun programme of blossom‑inspired events, from walks and trails to creative workshops and poetry sessions.
You can grab the digital map online, and there are limited paper maps available in places like local parks, Manchester Central Library, NOMA, and Castlefield Viaduct.
This year, Heaton Park is hosting the launch of Bloomtown 2026, and we’re looking for volunteers to help kick off the celebrations.
Expect a lively day of workshops, poetry, and storytelling, plenty of chances to welcome visitors, help people get involved, and make sure everyone has a great time.
Bloomtown Launch Visitor Volunteers
Help us create a friendly welcome and support a range of activities taking place across the day.
Date:
Saturday 21 March; 10:30am – 3:30pm
Times:
Arrive 10:30am for a briefing with Heaton Park and National Trust Staff
Activities start 11am
Lunch breaks will take place between 12:30 – 1:30pm
About this opportunity
- We’re looking for up to 12 volunteers
- No special skills needed; just enthusiasm, willingness to chat to people and a warm welcome for attendees.
- This volunteering will take place Outdoors. You will need to ensure you have warm and waterproof clothes and footwear.
- A pre-briefing will be sent before you arrive and an event briefing will take place on the morning of the event.
Your Volunteering Role
- Welcome people to the event, letting them know about the event and activities
- Assist the workshop leaders to encourage people to get involved
- Help with wayfinding to support people to find activities and events
- Take people to events in other areas of the park
- Offer support and assistance to attendees as needed
- Encourage visitors to come and enjoy the activities
- Help to gather feedback via the National Trust Survey Link
- Generally, support the event organisers as required to ensure a positive event
Supervision
- You will be supported by a member of the Heaton Park and National Trust Event team.
- On arrival you will receive an event briefing with more information about your volunteering role and the activities.
- Before you arrive we will send a pre-briefing with some handy tips on what to bring, what to expect and how to make the most of your volunteering.
Perks and Benefits
- See behind the scenes of a National Trust and Heaton Park Event
- Get involved in Bloomtown
- Learn more about National Trust and the Bloomtown project
- Get hands on event support experience
- Get out and about and volunteer in a beautiful outdoor space
- Meet likeminded volunteers
- Work together to create a great community event day
Skills
- No specific skills are needed but we do ask that you are...
- Happy to chat to people
- Proactively approach people and get them involved in activities
- Work with others and as part of a team
- Direct people and answer questions or refer them to staff to answer any specific questions
If you would like any further information before signing up please email heatonparkvolunteering@manchester.gov.uk
Practical Information for getting to Heaton Park
All volunteering takes place at Heaton Park, the meeting point for this event is the Stables Café Courtyard.
Location: Heaton Park, Manchester M25 2GT
Meeting Point: The Stables Café Courtyard, Farm Centre, Heaton Park
What3Words: https://w3w.co/soaks.over.boat
Arriving by Car
Enter the park via St Margaret’s Road, off Bury Old Road (M25 2GT).
Follow the road as far as it goes and park in the northern car park, next to the children’s play area.
Please note: Pay & Display – £3.50 for all‑day parking.
Once parked, head down the slope towards the buildings you can see. The Stables Café is straight ahead, and the Farm Centre will be on your right.
Arriving by Public Transport
By Tram
Take the Bury Line from Manchester City Centre to Heaton Park.
There’s a park entrance directly opposite the station.
Walk straight ahead, ignoring any paths to the left or right.
At the bottom of the hill, turn left at the T‑junction onto Grand Lodge Drive.
Continue uphill—you’ll see the Hall on your right and the Farm Centre (with the clock tower) on your left.
The walk takes 10–15 minutes.
By Bus
Heaton Park is served by the x35, 59, 90, 135, 149, 156, 164, and 484 bus routes. You may need to use Google Maps to direct you to the Stables Cafe, as these buses my arrive at different Park gates. Please search Stables Cafe Heaton Park and follow the walking directions or follow the “Farm Centre” finger post signs within the Park. It can take between 5 – 20 minutes to walk to the Stables Cafe depending on which gate you enter at.
For full details and journey planning, visit the TfGM Route Explorer.
Bloomtown is a feel‑good spring campaign by the National Trust that runs every March to May, celebrating all the gorgeous blossom appearing across Manchester and Greater Manchester.
It highlights around 40 blossom hotspots through the Bloomtown map, a simple guide that helps you find the best blossom spots across the city. Alongside the map, there’s a fun programme of blossom‑inspired events, from walks and trails to creative workshops and poetry sessions.
You can grab the digital map online, and there are limited paper maps available in places like local parks, Manchester Central Library, NOMA, and Castlefield Viaduct.
This year, Heaton Park is hosting the launch of Bloomtown 2026, and we’re looking for volunteers to help kick off the celebrations.
Expect a lively day of workshops, poetry, and storytelling, plenty of chances to welcome visitors, help people get involved, and make sure everyone has a great time.
Bloomtown Launch Visitor Volunteers
Help us create a friendly welcome and support a range of activities taking place across the day.
Date:
Saturday 21 March; 10:30am – 3:30pm
Times:
Arrive 10:30am for a briefing with Heaton Park and National Trust Staff
Activities start 11am
Lunch breaks will take place between 12:30 – 1:30pm
About this opportunity
- We’re looking for up to 12 volunteers
- No special skills needed; just enthusiasm, willingness to chat to people and a warm welcome for attendees.
- This volunteering will take place Outdoors. You will need to ensure you have warm and waterproof clothes and footwear.
- A pre-briefing will be sent before you arrive and an event briefing will take place on the morning of the event.
Your Volunteering Role
- Welcome people to the event, letting them know about the event and activities
- Assist the workshop leaders to encourage people to get involved
- Help with wayfinding to support people to find activities and events
- Take people to events in other areas of the park
- Offer support and assistance to attendees as needed
- Encourage visitors to come and enjoy the activities
- Help to gather feedback via the National Trust Survey Link
- Generally, support the event organisers as required to ensure a positive event
Supervision
- You will be supported by a member of the Heaton Park and National Trust Event team.
- On arrival you will receive an event briefing with more information about your volunteering role and the activities.
- Before you arrive we will send a pre-briefing with some handy tips on what to bring, what to expect and how to make the most of your volunteering.
Perks and Benefits
- See behind the scenes of a National Trust and Heaton Park Event
- Get involved in Bloomtown
- Learn more about National Trust and the Bloomtown project
- Get hands on event support experience
- Get out and about and volunteer in a beautiful outdoor space
- Meet likeminded volunteers
- Work together to create a great community event day
Skills
- No specific skills are needed but we do ask that you are...
- Happy to chat to people
- Proactively approach people and get them involved in activities
- Work with others and as part of a team
- Direct people and answer questions or refer them to staff to answer any specific questions
If you would like any further information before signing up please email heatonparkvolunteering@manchester.gov.uk
Practical Information for getting to Heaton Park
All volunteering takes place at Heaton Park, the meeting point for this event is the Stables Café Courtyard.
Location: Heaton Park, Manchester M25 2GT
Meeting Point: The Stables Café Courtyard, Farm Centre, Heaton Park
What3Words: https://w3w.co/soaks.over.boat
Arriving by Car
Enter the park via St Margaret’s Road, off Bury Old Road (M25 2GT).
Follow the road as far as it goes and park in the northern car park, next to the children’s play area.
Please note: Pay & Display – £3.50 for all‑day parking.
Once parked, head down the slope towards the buildings you can see. The Stables Café is straight ahead, and the Farm Centre will be on your right.
Arriving by Public Transport
By Tram
Take the Bury Line from Manchester City Centre to Heaton Park.
There’s a park entrance directly opposite the station.
Walk straight ahead, ignoring any paths to the left or right.
At the bottom of the hill, turn left at the T‑junction onto Grand Lodge Drive.
Continue uphill—you’ll see the Hall on your right and the Farm Centre (with the clock tower) on your left.
The walk takes 10–15 minutes.
By Bus
Heaton Park is served by the x35, 59, 90, 135, 149, 156, 164, and 484 bus routes. You may need to use Google Maps to direct you to the Stables Cafe, as these buses my arrive at different Park gates. Please search Stables Cafe Heaton Park and follow the walking directions or follow the “Farm Centre” finger post signs within the Park. It can take between 5 – 20 minutes to walk to the Stables Cafe depending on which gate you enter at.
For full details and journey planning, visit the TfGM Route Explorer.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, Customer Service, Event Planning, Practical Skills, Public Speaking, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: No
Duration of role: One day / week only
Start date:
End date:
Opportunity times: Saturday Morning, Saturday Afternoon
DBS required: Off
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 5
Location:
Heaton Park, Middleton Road
Prestwich
M25 2SW