Whalley Abbey are excited to announce the launch of their new programme for volunteers. With a variety of roles on offer, there will be something for all who feel drawn towards spending some time at the Abbey to serve in different ways.

“In the medieval times, lay brothers joined the monastery to work alongside the brothers to help in practical ways – following in that spirit, we would like to offer the possibility to engage in a volunteer programme to make the vision of Whalley Abbey a reality in our day.”  Revd Anna Walker, Director of Whalley Abbey

The first team of volunteers will be formed from applicants who apply for the following opportunities before the closing date of 18 April.

• Event assistants
• Garden and Grounds workers
• Handypersons
• Marketing Assistants

Volunteers are an important part of the Whalley Abbey community and provide an invaluable contribution towards their work and vision.

The wider community will benefit also by the ongoing maintenance of the historic site.

As part of a valued group, volunteers can enjoy:

• Social gatherings
• Volunteers’ celebration dinner
• Annual residential working retreat
• Free Quiet Day every year
• Daily prayers in the chapel
• Meeting new friends
• Investing in their physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing
• Sharing skills or learning new ones

To find out more, see whalleyabbey.org/volunteer or contact the Assistant Director, Andy Walker: andy.walker@whalleyabbey.org / 07484 118564. Also, if you have skills to offer that are not listed above, please do get in touch. Volunteers must be over 18yrs.

Other opportunities

Resident Community at Whalley Abbey

In addition, there are a few opportunities for people to join the resident community at Whalley Abbey. This is a small group of people who live and work at the Abbey and sustain the pattern of daily prayers in the chapel, open to all visitors. Members of the community work in various roles in the retreat house, making sure that there is a warm and hospitable welcome for guests, as well as in administrative tasks. They live in shared accommodation and get together regularly for meals, Bible study and social evenings.

The community would love to welcome new members and the Director Anna Walker can be contacted for more information and an application pack: anna.walker@whalleyabbey.org / 07484 118564. A successful applicant would have a trial period leading up to a year’s stay, and this could be extended upon mutual agreement.

What is Whalley Abbey?

Whalley Abbey started as a Cistercian monastery in the late 13^th century, and now it is a Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer and a retreat house, belonging to the Diocese of Blackburn in the Church of England. It is a place of encounter, spiritual refreshment, and growth with regular daily prayers open to the general public. Whalley Abbey’s own spiritual programme of quiet days and retreats for the rest of 2025 is now available online.

In addition the Abbey caters for many other kinds of events. The grounds draw a regular stream of people who are interested in the monastic history of the Abbey or come to enjoy the gardens.

Ronnie Semley, April 2025