Volunteering in Corbridge: Local Groups That Need a Hand

Much of village life in Corbridge runs on volunteers. The heritage centre, the weekly warm space, the floral displays, the riverbank clear-ups and the scout troop all depend on people giving a few hours. Whether you have a free morning a week or want something you can do now and then, there is likely a group nearby that would be glad to hear from you.

This guide lists groups we have confirmed are active and looking for help, with what the work involves and how to get in touch. Most are in the village itself. A few are a short drive away at Dilston, Stagshaw or Hexham.

Corbridge Community Partnership

The Corbridge Community Partnership is a registered charity based in the former Methodist church on Princes Street, now the village's community hub. It is one of the busiest volunteer-run organisations in Corbridge.

• Heritage Centre: staffed by a team of more than 20 volunteers who welcome visitors and look after the village's local history collections.
• Warm Welcome Cafe: a weekly drop-in warm space that has run since January 2026, needing people to make drinks, set up and chat.
• Tea and Chat: a sociable afternoon held twice a month.
• Seasonal events: including apple pressing in the autumn and fundraising for the building.

The partnership is also in talks with Northumberland County Council about moving the Heritage Centre into Corbridge Library on Hill Street, with volunteers helping to keep the library open for longer each week. If that goes ahead, more volunteer hours will be needed. The best way to offer help is through the partnership's Facebook page or by calling in at the hub.

Parish council projects

Corbridge Parish Council organises some practical volunteering itself. Its "Balsam Bash" on 30 May 2026 brought 16 volunteers to Well Bank Green to pull invasive Himalayan balsam along the river. The council plans to repeat it next year over three weekends from the second week of June. It also supports the village's Corbridge in Bloom planting volunteers with grant aid. The parish clerk (clerk@corbridge-pc.gov.uk) can put you in touch with either.

Hospice shops and roles

Tynedale Hospice at Home cares for people at the end of life in their own homes across Tynedale, and it relies heavily on volunteers. Its roles include:

• retail volunteering in its shops, including Fawcett and Russell on Market Place in Corbridge
• sorting and listing items for its online and eBay sales
• driving, office work and fundraising events
• family support and helping at its bereavement cafe

Most roles are for over-18s, but retail and eBay volunteering is open from age 13, which suits teenagers doing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. You can apply on the hospice's website, call 01434 600388 or email admin@tynedalehospice.com. For other shops you could help in, see our charity shops guide.

Rivers and the outdoors

The Tyne Rivers Trust is a river conservation charity based at Stagshaw, just north of the village. Its volunteers help with:

• riverbank restoration, including willow weaving
• hedge laying and tree planting
• litter clean-ups
• tackling invasive plants
• monitoring water quality through its SmartRivers scheme

Email volunteer@tyneriverstrust.org to join its volunteer mailing list, which sends out a monthly bulletin of upcoming sessions.

At Dilston, just across the Tyne from the village, Dilston Physic Garden welcomes volunteers to help with weeding, pruning and harvesting herbs. Volunteers also guide visitors, serve herbal tea and help in the shop. There is a form on the garden's website, or you can email info@dilstonphysicgarden.com.

Heritage and churches

English Heritage recruits volunteers at its sites across the region, including Corbridge Roman Town, where volunteers help welcome visitors and share the site's story. Current opportunities are listed on the English Heritage volunteering pages, and you can search by site.

St Andrew's Church has a long tradition of volunteering, including:

• church guides who show visitors round the Saxon church, first recorded in 786
• flower arrangers
• pastoral visiting
• the church's own Tea and Chat

Speak to anyone at a Sunday service or contact the parish office. Our churches guide covers the other congregations in the village.

Young people's groups

The 1st Tynedale Scout Group meets in Corbridge and, like most scout groups, needs adult volunteers to keep its sections running. Help ranges from section leaders to occasional parent helpers and trustees who look after the money and the building. Scouting provides training and the required checks. Our guide to Rainbows, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts lists the other uniformed groups nearby.

Finding something else

If none of these fits, Northumberland CVA is the county's volunteer centre. It runs an online search of volunteering opportunities across Northumberland and offers supported volunteering for people who would like extra help getting started. You can call 01670 858688 or email enquire@northumberlandcva.org.uk.

Sports clubs are another option, as most rely on volunteer coaches, team managers and committee members. See our sport and clubs guide for the village's clubs.

Before you start

• Checks: roles involving children or vulnerable adults usually need a DBS check, which the organisation arranges and normally pays for.
• Expenses: most charities reimburse reasonable expenses such as mileage, so ask.
• Commitment: many groups are happy with a few hours a month. Be honest about your time at the start.
• Trying it out: a one-off event, such as a riverbank clean-up or a fundraising day, is a good way to find out whether a group suits you.