This October, Rob celebrates three years of volunteering at the King Richard III Visitor Centre, helping bring the fascinating story of Richard III to life for our visitors.
Rob has always been fascinated by the story of Richard III, so when the opportunity arose to become part of that story himself, it felt like a natural next step.
Already volunteering as a guide at other local historical sites, Rob decided that adding the King Richard III Visitor Centre to his volunteering journey made perfect sense.
He arrived at the Centre for his induction on 11 October 2023 and immediately felt at home.
“The staff and the other volunteers were generous with their time.”
His first shift followed just a week later, on 17 October, when he began shadowing some of the Centre’s experienced volunteer guides. Before long, Rob had found his feet and was ready to take visitors around the Centre himself.
And he hasn’t looked back.
Always learning, always discovering
For Rob, being a volunteer guide is about much more than simply learning a script. He is constantly reading and researching all aspects of Richard III and his family, adding to his knowledge and looking for new ways to understand the people behind the history.
His aim is simple: to be able to answer visitors’ questions and help them discover something new about Richard III and his fascinating world.
That enthusiasm for learning is something Rob brings to every shift.
He has also had the opportunity to represent both the King Richard III Visitor Centre and Leicester at public events – something he describes as giving him “great satisfaction.”
From guiding to gardening!
Rob’s contribution to the Centre doesn't stop at welcoming visitors.
More recently, he has become heavily involved in looking after the Centre’s courtyard garden, keeping it watered, tidy and planted out – particularly during this year's hot weather.
It is a task that has brought him enormous joy and is another example of the many different ways our volunteers contribute to the Visitor Centre.
Passing on his knowledge
Rob has now reached another milestone in his volunteering journey.
Having gained so much experience himself, he is now helping newcomers to the role by allowing them to shadow him as they begin their own journey as volunteer guides.
For Rob, this is another part of volunteering
Rob has always been fascinated by the story of Richard III, so when the opportunity arose to become part of that story himself, it felt like a natural next step.
Already volunteering as a guide at other local historical sites, Rob decided that adding the King Richard III Visitor Centre to his volunteering journey made perfect sense.
He arrived at the Centre for his induction on 11 October 2023 and immediately felt at home.
“The staff and the other volunteers were generous with their time.”
His first shift followed just a week later, on 17 October, when he began shadowing some of the Centre’s experienced volunteer guides. Before long, Rob had found his feet and was ready to take visitors around the Centre himself.
And he hasn’t looked back.
Always learning, always discovering
For Rob, being a volunteer guide is about much more than simply learning a script. He is constantly reading and researching all aspects of Richard III and his family, adding to his knowledge and looking for new ways to understand the people behind the history.
His aim is simple: to be able to answer visitors’ questions and help them discover something new about Richard III and his fascinating world.
That enthusiasm for learning is something Rob brings to every shift.
He has also had the opportunity to represent both the King Richard III Visitor Centre and Leicester at public events – something he describes as giving him “great satisfaction.”
From guiding to gardening!
Rob’s contribution to the Centre doesn't stop at welcoming visitors.
More recently, he has become heavily involved in looking after the Centre’s courtyard garden, keeping it watered, tidy and planted out – particularly during this year's hot weather.
It is a task that has brought him enormous joy and is another example of the many different ways our volunteers contribute to the Visitor Centre.
Passing on his knowledge
Rob has now reached another milestone in his volunteering journey.
Having gained so much experience himself, he is now helping newcomers to the role by allowing them to shadow him as they begin their own journey as volunteer guides.
For Rob, this is another part of volunteering