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The Dick Institute will close at the earlier time of 3.30pm on Wed 1st April. It will re-open as normal on Thursday 2nd. 

Volunteering

Volunteer with Ayrshire360 to meet new people, learn new skills and give back to other in your community. Ayrshire360 has a wide range of volunteering opportunities available from one day events to weekly commitments. Volunteer to benefit people aged 4-94 by helping in sport, the arts, countryside and community health and wellbeing. 

Download the Volunteer Handbook to find out more about Ayrshire360, our vision, mission and values, what you can expect as a volunteer and what support we’ll give you. 

If you would like to apply for any of the roles below, please fill in the contact form and we will get in touch with you. 

 

MUSEUM & ARTS OPPORTUNITIES

Textile Team
The Textile Team are based in the Dick Institute. They continue to work on Dean Castle’s medieval curtains which brought the team together as well as costumes, livery and the recently completed flag to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Kilmarnock Football Club. Visitors to Dean Castle will see their work on display throughout the Castle, in particular the banners, cushions and armoured horse in the Great Hall. The textile team is fully staffed now but interested volunteers can join a waiting list.

Castle Visitor Experience Volunteers
If you love castles and history, learning new skills and talking to the public, this could be the volunteer role for you. Help us tell the numerous and varied stories of Dean Castle, its inhabitants and first class museum collections. 

Jougs Visitor Volunteers
If you love Kilmaurs, art, history, learning new skills and talking to the public, this could be the volunteer role for you. Lend a hand to tell the stories of The Jougs and its history in Kilmaurs village and to host temporary art exhibitions in the building

EVENT OPPORTUNITIES

Running Event Volunteers
Ayrshire360 manages 3 running events in the annual racing calendar. We need marshals on the race routes to keep runners safe and to cheer them on through the checkpoints.

 
The Cairn Table Hill Race,15 July 2026
Kames Car Park, Muirkirk, 6pm-9.30pm
The race covers 7.2km with 360 metres of climbing, set on an out-and-back route that is both unmarked and rugged. The route is marshalled with each marshal in sight of the next. Walking boots, waterproofs and midgie nets are essential!  

 K6 and K12 Ultramarathon, 2 Aug 2026
Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock, various times
Individual and Relay teams run a 4km loop of Dean Castle Country Park as many times as they can in 6 or 12 hours. Marshals are needed along the circuit to keep the general public and the runners safe, and to cheer on tired legs. 

The River Ayr Way Challenge, 12 Sep 2026
Checkpoints in East & South Ayrshire, various times 

Often referred to as the RAW Challenge, this is a popular 40 mile race in the Scottish Ultra Marathon series and attracts runners from all over the country. The route follows the River Ayr from Glenbuck in East Ayrshire to Riverside Sports Arena in Ayr.  Marshals are required at checkpoints to give out water and dropbags.

SPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Active School Volunteers
Active Schools provides opportunities for children and young people to take part in sport and physical activity before school, during lunchtime and after school, as well as creating pathways between school and sports clubs in the local community.  Volunteers help to deliver sport and physical activity in school and the community, ensuring that the children and young people have a fun and positive experience.

All Ability Volunteer
“All Ability” is our sport and physical activity programme for children, young people and adults with physical, sensory or learning disabilities. The clubs include sports, arts and crafts, free play and games.  Volunteers help deliver these activities and support those attending. 

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Community Based Adult Learning Volunteer Tutor 
Community based adult learning opportunities encourage participants to take a first step back into learning. Help people acquire new skills and qualifications, increase their confidence and improve their employment prospects.  Courses are delivered in partnership with Ayrshire College and local job centres.Volunteers can also help adults who require support with digital literacies e.g. how to use digital devices, how to stay safe online or how to access online learning opportunities.

Essential Skills Volunteer Tutor 
Tutors support learners on a 1:1 basis or in small groups to improve their everyday life skills in reading, writing and numbers.  Opportunities are available to support adults, young people, families and English as a Second/other Language (ESOL).

 

HEALTH & WELLBEING OPPORTUNITIES

Community Health Activity Team (CHAT) Volunteer

  • Assist the CHAT team with the delivery of health checks, healthy lifestyle information and signposting onto other health professionals and agencies. Assist the CHAT Team to promote the programme of activities currently on offer and distribute any relevant promotional material.
  • Join up with other volunteers at Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock, Dumfries House, Cumnock and Newmilns to lead health walks for the local community. Walks last around 1 hour and aim to reduce isolation, build confidence and improve fitness. Assist the Chat Team in the development of new walking routes. 
  • Provide individual support at community-based exercise classes.  Assist the instructor by overseeing participants within the class.  Register attendance and assist with refreshments. 

Supported Accommodation Volunteer  

Offer friendship to older people within our supported housing communities and help tackle social isolation. Volunteers support older people to participate in:

  • General activities - gardening, quizzes, games, arts and crafts
  • Social events - prize bingo, fish teas and even a night of Elvis with a sing-a-long
  • Outings - Tea Dances at Dumfries House and day trips
  • Lunch Clubs – preparation, cooking, serving food and clearing up after lunch 

Befrienders for Adults
Befrienders support older adults aged 65+ on a 1:1 basis. Befrienders make a positive difference to older adults’ lives by building a relationship of trust over time. Befrienders provide support and encouragement to older adults to participate in local activities and help reduce loneliness and isolation. 

Befrienders for Children
Befrienders support children & young people on a 1:1 basis or within groups.  Befrienders help build confidence and self-esteem and are a positive influence. They give children and young people opportunities to take part in social and recreational activities which due to a number of factors they may not have had the chance to experience.

GREENSPACE OPPORTUNITIES

Friends of the Dean
The Outdoor Conservation Group has been running since 2017 and has 12 spaces available on each volunteer session. This informal group meets on the first Tuesday and last Sunday of every month and tackles nature and outdoor maintenance projects in Dean Castle Country Park and throughout East Ayrshire.

Path Wardens
As part of our commitment to improving access, we would like to inspect the East Ayrshire Path Network regularly, however, the Community Greenspace team at Ayrshire360 don't have the resources to do this as often as we would like. If you walk, cycle or ride the same paths regularly or you are looking to start – we'd like you to keep an eye on them and let us know how they are looking.