Victoria Tunnel Guide

We are an independent charity, working towards a vibrant, diverse & sustainable future for Newcastle Upon Tyne’s Ouseburn Valley. We work in partnership with volunteers, the local authority, and the business community to enhance the physical, social and economic environment of the Valley, whilst promoting and preserving the area’s rich heritage and valued ecosystem.

Volunteers are essential to the work that we do. You can help to ensure that all our work in the Valley is innovative, imaginative, creative, inclusive, secure, and sustainable.

In turn, we hope volunteering will help you to develop new skills and interests, meet friendly, like-minded people, gain confidence and a sense of well-being, and even gain new skills.

Victoria Tunnel Guide

The Victoria Tunnel was built in the 1830s to carry coal under the streets of Newcastle to staiths on the quayside. In 1939 it was opened as an air-raid shelter for Newcastle residents and is now open to the public for guided tours.

The Ouseburn Trust operate a programme of guided tours on most days each week within a 700 metres stretch of the Victoria Tunnel. We are looking for people who will help us bring the history and heritage of the Victoria Tunnel alive and make a tour of it a wonderful fulfilling experience.

The role will involve:

• Meeting and welcoming visitors (15 per tour), checking booking list and taking any payments on the day
• Leading the tour to the Tunnel, 700m through the Tunnel and back to the entrance, explaining the history and heritage of the Victoria Tunnel and making a tour of it a wonderful fulfilling experience
• Monitoring and observing the health and safety requirements of the tour

Skills

• Passion for heritage and history of the North East
• Experience of working with people
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• The enthusiasm and the ability to work as part of a team
• Access to email and mobile phone text for tour planning

Guides volunteer usually for two-three hours at a time. Tours are either 75 minutes or two hours and run weekdays, evenings and weekends. Guides can lead tours regularly or occasionally, and willingness to step in at short notice is very much appreciated. A minimum of one tour a month is required in order to keep a hand in with tour content as well as health and safety.