Become a member of The Harwich Society
Founded in 1969, The Harwich Society has been preserving the town’s past for almost six decades.
Today, more than 2,000 people are members of the Society, helping to keep Harwich’s stories alive for future generations.
Membership is open to everyone, whether you’re passionate about local history, enjoy exploring our visitor attractions or simply want to be part of a community that cares about Harwich.
● Enjoy unlimited, free admission to all visitor attractions, including the Redoubt, the High Lighthouse, Maritime Museum and Lifeboat Museum.
● Receive free access to our programme of monthly talks, covering a wide range of subjects connected to Harwich, Essex and beyond. Explore some of our upcoming events here.
● Stay up to date with our quarterly ‘Highlight’ magazine, bringing together the latest news, stories, research and activities from across the Society. The magazine is delivered free to all members and is also available digitally or as an audio file.
Membership options
We offer a wide range of memberships, including senior, student, family, and corporate options.
Annual subscriptions start from just £6 for under 18s and full time students. To access the latest membership rates, please see our membership form or contact our Membership Secretary, Aileen Farnell, at membership@harwich-society.co.uk
If you’re a UK taxpayer, you can also complete the Gift Aid section of the membership form. This allows the Harwich Society to claim an additional 25p for every £1 you give, at no extra cost to you.
Volunteer with The Harwich Society
Volunteering with the Harwich Society isn’t about being a history expert. It’s about being part of a friendly team that makes a positive difference to our town.
We welcome volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels. Whether you’re a student, recently retired, or new to the area, there’s a role to suit you.
Help bring our heritage to life
Harwich is shaped by centuries of rich history and remarkable stories. From museums and iconic landmarks to nature conservation, events and educational activities, The Harwich Society helps protect and celebrate the places and people that make our town so special.
Whether you’re looking to meet new people, gain valuable experience, share your existing skills or simply give something back to your local community, we’d love you to join our fantastic volunteering team.
There’s something for everyone
You don’t need to know everything about Harwich’s heritage, and you certainly don’t need to memorise lots of facts. We’ll provide guidance, support and simple resources to help you feel comfortable and confident in your role.
You also don’t need to commit lots of time. Some volunteers help every week, while others give just a couple of hours each month or support a handful of events throughout the year. Every contribution matters.
And if you discover one role isn’t quite the right fit, that’s absolutely fine! Many of our volunteers enjoy trying different opportunities until they find something they love.
So, what could I do?
There are lots of ways to get involved with the Harwich Society.
Opportunities include:
- Welcoming visitors
- Supporting with talks and community events
- Serving teas, coffees and refreshments
- Becoming a tour guide (full support provided)
- Practical maintenance, decorating and repairs
- Gardening and caring for outdoor spaces
- Photography, social media and digital content creation
- Administration and behind-the-scenes organisation
- Research and archive assistance
- Supporting exhibitions and collections
- Working alongside heritage specialists on conservation, archaeology and repair projects
Whatever your interests or experience, we’ll help you find a role that works for you.
Where could I volunteer?
The Harwich Society cares for a wide range of fascinating places across the town, giving volunteers the chance to experience different environments and activities.
Volunteer opportunities are available at:
- The Harwich Redoubt: A Napoleonic fort that hosts heritage events, exhibitions, tours and community activities.
- The Lifeboat Museum: A museum celebrating the history of Harwich’s lifeboat service and the volunteers who have saved lives at sea.
- The High Lighthouse: A historic lighthouse exploring Harwich’s maritime navigation, local history and notable residents, with panoramic views from the very top.
- The Radar Tower: A historic tower interpreting Harwich’s role in the development of early radar technology during the Second World War.
- The Maritime Museum: A museum showcasing Harwich’s maritime history, including shipbuilding, seafaring and the town’s role as a historic port.
- The Ha’penny Pier Visitor Centre: A visitor centre providing information about Harwich’s history, attractions and local area.
- Bobbit’s Hole Nature Reserve: A local nature reserve managed to protect wildlife and provide a peaceful green space for the community.
- Foresters: A historic community building used for Harwich Society meetings, archiving & research activity, talks, and exhibitions.
Each site offers something different, and many volunteers enjoy getting involved across more than one location.
What will I get back?
Volunteering is a chance to make a genuine difference while enjoying new experiences and becoming part of a welcoming community.
As a volunteer, you can:
- Meet new people and make lasting friendships
- Learn new skills and build your confidence
- Improve your wellbeing by staying active and connected
- Gain valuable experience to support your CV or future career
- Discover more about Harwich’s fascinating history and heritage
- Share your existing skills and knowledge
- Enjoy exploring unique historic locations
- Take part in Society social events, including our annual dinner and volunteer celebrations
- Help protect Harwich’s remarkable heritage for future generations
Volunteering can provide valuable practical experience, particularly for younger people and students. If there’s a specific area you’re interested in, such as events management, communications, photography, customer service or supporting specialist heritage projects, let us know!
We’ll help you develop experience that supports your interests, builds your confidence and helps you work towards your future ambitions.
We’d love to hear from you
Whether you can spare a few hours a month or would like to become a regular volunteer, you’ll be making a real difference to our town.
Email volunteers@harwich-society.co.uk to find out more about current opportunities, or have a chat with us at one of our sites or events.
Love at the Redoubt
Volunteering doesn’t just build skills and friendships. Sometimes, it changes your life entirely.
The Redoubt has stood through two centuries of history. In the summer of 2026, it became the setting for a brand new chapter, when two of its volunteers, John Shaw and Kate Millin, got married!
John’s ties to the Harwich Peninsula run deep. His first wife, Margaret, served as Rector of the parish from 2016 until she passed away in 2023, and John remains closely involved in the town’s heritage as a Trustee and Treasurer of the Harwich Art and Heritage Centre. Kate, born in nearby Dovercourt but living in Towcester, had started making regular weekend trips back to Harwich – trips that would end up changing the course of both their lives.
It began with weekends spent volunteering side by side at the Redoubt, bonded by a shared love of local history. Their friendship grew, and soon their weekends stretched further afield to concerts, art galleries, evenings at the theatre in London, and trips to the Lake District.
History still sits at the heart of their story. Kate volunteers with the Harwich Society at Foresters, helping with the archives and researching the development of the Harwich Navyard, while John continues his own research into East Anglian social history.
Their story is a reminder that historic places don’t just preserve the past. Sometimes, they help shape the future.
