Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding task, and we have many wonderful volunteers that work with us. Colchester Archaeological Trust has always welcomed interested and enthusiastic members of the public as volunteers. Some of our volunteers have been with us for decades and have a story or two to tell! Our team is friendly and supportive, and work together to complete tasks that support our archaeological work.

Our volunteers are from a diverse set of backgrounds and careers, ranging from students, to those who are retired. We truly believe that there is something here for everyone with an interest in the past, and welcome any newcomers to the team!

As our volunteers generally have different availability and skillsets, we do try to be flexible where we can. All of our volunteering is based at Roman Circus House, Colchester. Read below for more information.

CAT volunteers at the Washathon

ways to volunteer

Image of archaeologist in hi visibility using a gps on a coastal site.
Image showing a number of archaeologist in hi vis excavating a rampart in the sunshine

 

Colchester Archaeological Trust – Community Project East Mersea Tudor Blockhouse

Colchester Archaeological Trust will be carrying out an important archaeological excavation at Cudmore Grove, East Mersea, focused on the investigation of the Tudor Blockhouse, a rare coastal fort now under active threat from erosion.

All dates and volunteer opportunities are currently provisional and subject to the necessary permissions and consents being secured.

We are now seeking volunteers to support the project. Opportunities will include:

  • fieldwork volunteers to assist with excavation and recording
  • finds processing volunteers to process and catalogue artefacts
  • outreach volunteers to help engage visitors and the local community

This is a time-sensitive rescue excavation, and some roles, particularly fieldwork, will involve physically demanding work in exposed coastal conditions. Other roles will be less physically demanding, and we are keen to hear from anyone interested in supporting the project in a range of ways.

We are especially keen to involve volunteers from Mersea Island and the surrounding area, alongside participants from Operation Nightingale, a Ministry of Defence-led archaeology programme that supports the recovery and rehabilitation of serving personnel and military veterans through participation in archaeological projects.

Full details of the roles, likely timings, and practical requirements are available via the below links. 

Fieldwork volunteer role description 

Finds processing volunteer role description 

Outreach volunteer role description

Click here to see the map of the area and the associated distances.

Please email volunteers@catuk.org with your application, quoting Mersea Volunteering Opportunity in the subject header. 

If applying, please state clearly:

  • which role or roles you are interested in;
  • your availability across the provisional project period;
  • why you believe you are suited to the role.

As places, particularly on the excavation itself, will be limited, expressions of interest at this stage will help us understand demand and match volunteers to suitable opportunities.

Colchester Archaeological Trust – Post-Excavation

CAT volunteers take part in post-excavation finds processing and work on a variety of exciting archaeological projects.

Tasks may include:

  • Washing and identifying archaeological finds.
  • Marking finds and helping to prepare them for archive deposition.
  • Getting hands-on with the past!

Unfortunately the volunteer programme is on hold at present. However, if you are still interested, please email to register your interest (volunteers@catuk.org) and we can add you to our waiting list.

Learn more about archaeological volunteering and work experience here!

Colchester Archaeological Trust – Digital Project

We currently have a team of volunteers who are assisting us with our collections management at the Trust while we undertake a huge digitisation project of our paper archives. This project is taking place in the CAT offices at Roman Circus House.

What will be involved?
• You will gain practical experience and understanding in digital archiving
• Strengthen or develop skills and knowledge on IT and related softwares
• Work as an integral part of the team to help with collection management and documentation of our paper archives
• Editing images/ drawings/ maps where necessary using Corel Photo Paint and SmartWorks Imaging
• Being part of a friendly, professional team!

Unfortunately the digital project is at capacity. If you are still interested, please email to register your interest (ch@catuk.org) and we can add you to our waiting list.

Image showing individual undertaking tour while volunteer takes notes

Roman Circus Visitor Centre – volunteer roles

Volunteers play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the Roman Circus Visitor Centre.

Our next major project is to restore the building’s original 1937 double doors – two sets of beautiful historic timber entrances that need care, attention, and skilled hands.

If you’ve got a background in DIY, carpentry, or heritage restoration, we’d especially love to hear from you.

But it’s not just about tools and timber! Various tasks include:

    • Welcoming visitors
    • Leading or assisting guided tours
    • Gardening and outdoor upkeep
    • Helping with events and lectures
    • Supporting general maintenance around the site

Whether you’ve got a particular skill to share, or just want to be part of a friendly and passionate team, come and make a difference at Britain’s only known Roman chariot-racing site!

Find out more: email info@catuk.org

Work experience student illustrating pottery

Work Experience Placements

Both CAT and the Roman Circus Visitor Centre offer work experience placements to students from Year 10 to University level looking to build their skillset.

CAT work experience placement weeks tend to fall within school holidays and available dates are shared on our Facebook page. We are limited to two students per week.

Please get in contact with us at volunteers@catuk.org if you are interested in conducting work experience with us.

Learn more about archaeological work experience here!

 

Volunteer Training

CAT volunteers receive a comprehensive induction, ongoing training [including guides and materials], supervision and support from a range of in-house specialists. 

Training is an ongoing process, with volunteers learning informally as they work with new and exciting archaeological material. In addition to this, CAT organise two formal training sessions a year for volunteers that are held at Roman Circus House.

Volunteers learning about archaeology

Volunteer contacts

Aileen Tierney
Junior Project Officer (Post-Excavation)

“I’m Aileen and I work in post-excavation ensuring all artefacts and ecofacts that come off site are processed, analysed and archived successfully and effiiciently.

 

I co-ordinate the management and post-excavation training of our team of archaeologists, volunteers and work experience students here at the Trust.”

 

Sam.

Samantha Rowley
Heritage and Education Manager

Would you like to volunteer at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre? There are many opportunities for you to help: from ‘Meeting and Greeting’ visitors, conducting guided tours, to gardening and DIY projects. Maybe you have a particular skillset to offer, or you would just like be a general assistant. Please do get in touch.”

Chloé Hill
Senior Site Assistant (Post-excavation)

“I’m Chloé and I manage the digital archiving here at the Trust. I also help with preparing our archives for deposition, as well as assisting with our work experience placements.

 

I am currently setting up a team of volunteers to work solely on the scanning and digitisation of our paper archives which include archaeological site plans, architect and building plans and artwork “