Help make a difference at Whalley Abbey

From meeters and greeters, gardeners and cleaners to visitor guides and builders - the retreat and conference house at Whalley Abbey is looking for a range of volunteers. Sarah Ulyatt met local volunteer Jim Atherton to find out more

“I’m proud to be a part of such a fantastic organisation,” explains Jim Atherton from local business Atherton’s Property and Land, who recently started volunteering a few hours a week.

“I’ve lived in Whalley all my life and had no idea just how much they did,” continued Jim. “The abbey offers daily or overnight respite to everyone - you don’t need to be a Christian - it’s there for anyone who needs help.

“After the past few years we’ve been through, it’s great to have this on our doorstep. I started volunteering to do my bit to help those who need it.”

Established over 700 years ago, Whalley Abbey is owned by the Church of England’s Blackburn Diocese and aims to be a place where all are welcome for respite, rest and restoration.

It has a core team of dedicated staff, but it is volunteers that keep the Abbey going. The formal gardens and landscaping around the ancient monument have a dedicated team led by John Adamus.  Every day is different with many visitors coming for a walk in the gardens, to buy a coffee at the Autisan café, run by the Autistic Society and another band of volunteers act as welcomers at the Abbey Cabin.

Director, Reverend Adam Thomas explains: “As we came out of COVID it became clear that people needed a place to rest and talk, a place to be listened to and looked after. Health and care workers, those who had been bereaved, those who were struggling. Many of those who come are not religious but enjoy the welcome and the peace. Hospitality is at the heart of all our staff and volunteers.”

The Abbey House is open for meetings, conferences and training and has 17 en-suite rooms and a cottage that can be booked in the grounds. Businesses, societies, schools and colleges, churches and faith groups benefit from this unique setting and welcome.

The Abbey is always looking for new volunteers. Do you want to welcome people to the grounds and learn more about the Abbey as you do so? Do you want to help John and his team in the garden and grounds? Or perhaps you have a skill to offer such as administration or marketing?

Contact Reverend Adam Thomas for a chat on email adam.thomas@whalleyabbey.org or call 01254 828400.

Whalley Abbey
The Sands, Whalley, BB7 9SS
www.whalleyabbey.org