Dunham Massey volunteers

A letter to The Daily Telegraph, 30 Jan 2024

Sir – For 17 years I’ve been a volunteer park guide at Dunham Massey in Cheshire, which is owned by the National Trust.

We patrol the 500-acre deer park, ensuring that people treat it with respect, answering questions and assisting in any way possible. However, we have recently received an email from the general manager saying that, from today, the 70 park guides will be let go while the role is paused for a year and reviewed.

In my management experience, you carry out a review and then announce the results, but Dunham Massey appears to have put the cart before the horse in this instance.

A meeting with the managers took place, at which the park guides expressed their disappointment and anger. Managers admit that the recruitment of volunteers is very difficult following Covid, yet they are prepared to let go 70 of us.

Many will never volunteer again at Dunham Massey. We are looking for other volunteering opportunities.

Tony Russell

Stretford, Lancashire