Many of our volunteers are keen amateur astronomers with interests ranging from astro-imaging and cosmology, they also include former university lecturers as well as some who just want to be involved and happy helping our guests enjoy their visit or simply making them hot drinks.  

Several of our volunteers have even been appointed to full time paid positions at the observatory, making it great thing to have on your CV.

However we are always looking out for new volunteers to help out, it would be great if you have some astronomy experience, but it is NOT essential, more importantly is that you are willing to offer your time, reliable and that you are friendly, approachable and enthusiastic about astronomy.

Kielder Observatory are also happy to support and pay any incurred travel costs that any volunteers have, and provide on site training, which has included areas as diverse as telescope operations to first aid training. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and range from teenagers to retired people. Kielder is a magical place, which after you visit you'll most likely want to come back again and again. Volunteering for us gives you that amazing opportunity.

• General help during events and making drinks for the guests 
• Science explaining - leading tours of the Observatories and describing our telescopes to visitors.
• Maintenance of the facility including joinery and basic engineering.

If you would like to help out, you can choose from anything above, or suggest a role you could create to use and develop your own skills, please contact us  via our site.