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High Sheriff of Greater Manchester visits during Volunteers’ Week

Manchester’s historic literary attraction Elizabeth Gaskell’s House welcomed the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Mark Llewellin DL yesterday as part of Volunteers’ Week, highlighting the impact and achievements of its dedicated voluntary team.

The High Sheriff was inspired to visit the Manchester literary museum – and former residence of the famous novelist Elizabeth Gaskell – after discovering her husband William Gaskell’s loan records at another Manchester literary landmark, The Portico Library.

The High Sheriff said: ‘Having a historic house like Elizabeth Gaskell’s House within a residential and urban area is a unique and accessible community asset, for both visiting and volunteering. The approachable and knowledgeable volunteers here have made – and continue to make – an enormous contribution, both in terms of saving and restoring the building, and in warmly welcoming visitors through its doors.’

Alex Walker, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, said: ‘It was a pleasure to welcome the High Sheriff to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and introduce him to some of our award-winning volunteer team. Our volunteers represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds and experiences, but we all share a passion for the House and take great pride in bringing its stories to life for visitors.’

Volunteers’ Week celebrates and recognises the invaluable contribution of volunteers across the UK, shining a spotlight on the diversity and passion behind volunteer work.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House relies on its diverse and dynamic team of 40 volunteers, who range in age from 17 to 91, to remain open to the public. The museum offers long-term volunteering opportunities as well as flexible ‘micro-volunteering’ placements, and also facilitates supported internships for neurodivergent young people.

For more information on volunteering opportunities at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, visit elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/