New Lanark World Heritage Site is welcoming a raft of new community volunteers and placement students to contribute to projects ranging from assisting school pupils to hydro engineering and even restoring a beloved exhibit.
The Unesco attraction has teamed up with higher education institutions including New College Lanarkshire as well as welcoming a new group of 16 community volunteers to share their talents and play their part in helping to “support and sustain the unique site”.
Among their projects will be the ongoing restoration of the historic 1911 Petrie & Co steam engine, allowing visitors to witness it in operational action once again; as well as rejuvenating and maintaining the peaceful roof garden.
New Lanark’s student placement initiative, which begins in January, will see students benefit from tailored learning opportunities in roles including museum studies, engineering, marketing and tourism.
Mairi Nicolson, head of Lanarkshire Business School at New College Lanarkshire, said: “We are excited to be involved – having the opportunity of a work placement will enrich our travel and tourism courses and allow our students to apply their learning in one of the most significant heritage sites in Scotland.”
The 16 new community volunteers are already helping across areas including collections care, event support and mechanical maintenance, and recently gained specialist conservation training skills thanks to Industrial Museums Scotland.
Recent recruit Terry Joiner told how she is “really enjoying the experience” which gives a “shape, structure and clear purpose” to retirement, and added that she has a variety of opportunities to try new challenges and develop new skills.
She said: “My volunteering day has become my favourite of the week. The staff and fellow volunteers are very friendly and supportive, and to watch schoolchildren’s faces as they discover how different [19th-century mill worker] Annie Macleod’s life was to their own is just magic, it’s keeping me young!
“I get to talk to new people and share my love of the site with our many visitors – what a privilege to be able to spend time here and be able to get to know it better, to be a small part of the story keeping this special place safe for future generations.”
New Lanark staff praised the “dedicated individuals’ invaluable enthusiasm and expertise”; and told how students, volunteers and staff are teaming up with members of the Men’s Shed based at the World Heritage site to breathe new life into the 15-year-old roof garden.
The gardening team are busy with seasonal planting, biodiversity initiatives and sustainable maintenance and plan to participate in next summer’s Scottish garden scheme, with a portion of funds raised going to local charities.
Head of heritage Kate Lapping said: “Our volunteers and students bring so much knowledge, passion, and energy to New Lanark – their contributions continue to inspire our team, and their efforts make a lasting impact.
“We are incredibly grateful for the partnerships and for the individuals who share our commitment to preserving this historic site.”
More information on becoming involved in New Lanark’s volunteer and placement opportunities is at www.newlanark.org/get-involved