Holiday Helper

We have an exciting and unusual opportunity for friendly and confident volunteers to support the Events Team with the smooth running of the International Joust, 18^th-21^st April 2025.

Our International Joust tournaments are the highlight of the year, taking place in our outdoor arena over the Easter Bank Holiday. You will be outdoors and in close proximity to horses, re-enactors (some with fantastic facial hair), and excited visitors. 

This role is a busy, but rewarding role which involves lots of standing, helping with the joust scoring, flag waving and being in costume (tabard provided). Between the Jousts, volunteers will help with in the Museum Square with the donation ask for the free activities. 

DATES: Friday 18 April - Monday 21 April 2025 

TRAINING: Friday 11 April  10am-12pm

Training is mandatory for all new volunteers. This is the only date that we are running an induction session, so please only accept the challenge if you can attend on the 11 April at 10am

SHIFT TIMES: ALL DAY (9.40am - 3pm) 

LOCATION: Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds 

This challenge requires a minimum of one full volunteering day commitment and attendance at the training session.  

Volunteers must be 18 or older for this challenge

What's involved?

You must be available for the induction session on 11^th April and at least one of the dates of the tournament

• Being in costume and part of the Joust parade
• Keeping score and updating the score board in the jousting area
• Help with the smooth running of the show
• Between shows, support the donation ask in the Museum Square
• Whooping and cheering is not a must, but strongly encouraged

This role involves being in close proximity with horses, along with keeping score (in blocks of 5) and being able to reach up to the scoreboard. Applicants will therefore need to be

• Confident around horses
• Able to be on your feet for most of the day
• Confident with the scoring (training will be given)
• Happy to join in with the pageantry, showmanship and spirit of the event
• Prepared to be in costume

What to bring

• Dress for the weather, this is an outdoor event, and you will be outside for part or all of the day. We recommend boots and ask for black non branded clothing to wear under the tabard.
• Sunscreen and a water bottle
• Lunch!

Why get involved?

• Be a part of one of our biggest events of the year
• Meet the teams, make new friends and get to experience our exciting horse shows from a unique perspective.
• Learn new skills and knowledge that could be applied to a future career

How to get involved?

Step 1) Accept the challenge.

Step 2) We will contact you to confirm the details for the induction day and arrange the date and time for your Joust session

Step 3) Have a great time with us at the event!!

Step 4) Afterwards, just update your hours onto your Volunteer Makers profile

If you haven't volunteered on site with us before we will ask you to bring along some photo ID - such as a passport - and the contact details of one reference

We would recommend viewing the Volunteers' Handbook/Manual for further information, before accepting the challenge here: Volunteer Handbook  

Volunteers must be 18 or older for this challenge