Axminster Heritage Centre has joined the national campaign, The Big Help Out – a celebration of volunteering as part of the King's coronation weekend, which aims to bring public attention to the power of volunteering.

The campaign runs from the coronation Bank Holiday in May, through to late summer 2023, and will also highlight Volunteers' Week in June and Thank You Day in July.

According to the Charity Commission, there were 5.2 million volunteers of registered charities last year in England and Wales alone, with a further 928,143 additional volunteers in the role of trustees.

On a local level, Axminster Heritage is one such charity, run by volunteers for the community and relies on them at all levels, like many other charities and organisations in the town.

Housed in one of the oldest buildings in Axminster, built by the Whitty family in 1828 as their carpet factory, the Heritage Centre was redeveloped in 2019 as a result of grants provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other sponsors.

Its aim as a charity is to tell the story of Axminster and its people, including the story of the original carpet factories.

Volunteer co-ordinators at the centre, Rebecca Green and Stuart Courtman, said: "At the heart of Axminster Heritage is the Axminster Heritage Centre which includes the museum, information point and Bradshaw Meeting Room on the first floor.

"As a charity we are passionate about making Axminster Heritage relevant to the whole of Axminster including all of the villages that make up the wider Axminster community."

Rebecca added: "The role of a volunteer at Axminster Heritage is a varied one and does not just involve working on the front desk, but instead could involve working behind the scenes with our collections, researching Axminster history, fundraising or exhibition production."

Stuart commented: "We are always on the lookout for new volunteers. Currently, due to changes on our board of trustees we are seeking a new volunteer treasurer. 

"The role involves working alongside our centre manager and bookkeeper to review our budget, monthly accounts and produce reports for our executive committee and trustee board.

"Applicants should have an accountancy qualification and/or the relevant experience and be available for a minimum of four meetings per year."

For further information or to apply, email Stuart Courtman, Chairman of the executive committee, at [email protected] or call 01297 639884.

For further information or to get involved with The Big Help Out visit https://thebighelpout.org.uk/

Click the following links for full details of coronation events taking place in: Axminster, Seaton, Colyton and Lyme Regis.

If you are holding a coronation event in the Axminster area, please send details to [email protected] for publicity and coverage on Axminster Nub News.