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Volunteering at Sheffield Cathedral

The life of Sheffield Cathedral is brought together through the support and help of volunteers and specialist individuals. If you would like to join the team, please contact the relevant people listed below.

Lay Assistants

Lay Assistants distribute the bread and wine to the congregation during the Eucharist, and take these to housebound members of the community. Only an established member of the congregation can become a Lay Assistant. Contact Simon Cowling on to register your interest in this role.

Welcomers

A Sheffield Cathedral Welcomer extends God’s hospitality to our visitors during the week by greeting them and being available for them, whoever they may be. Contact us on to register your interest in this role.

Stewards

Stewards help congregation and visitors find their way in to worship. A Steward will greet members of the public on arrival, make sure they have what they need and guide them to where they need to go. Stewards also have the authority to remove a member of the public from the building if they are causing a disturbance for the rest of the congregation. Contact to register your interest in this role.

Servers

Servers play an important part in the worshipping life of the Cathedral, especially at our Sung Eucharists on Sundays and major festivals. They carry the processional cross and candles and assist at the altar during Communion; they also carry the thurible, or incense holder, at services where incense is used. Servers must be baptised Christians, but may be male or female, young or old. If you are interested in learning more please contact Canon Simon Cowling on simon.cowling@sheffield-cathedral.org.uk

Guides

Guides help people understand the building, and the faith that inspired it, through tours and talks. Guides are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the Cathedral’s history and can communicate this well to others. Contact us on to register your interest in this role.

Carers

Carers share the task of looking after members of the congregation who are housebound or in hospital. Carers listen and put aside their own concerns in order to be there for others. Contact us on to register your interest in this role.

Children’s workers

Children’s workers use the resources of Godly Play on Sunday mornings to help our children become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. Individuals need to be imaginative, a good listener and enjoy the company of children. Contact Dr Pam Page on to register your interest in this role.

Readers

Readers bring the Bible alive for people in worship through clear and expressive reading. You will need a good voice and a desire to understand what you read. Contact Simon Cowling on .

Prayer Leaders

Prayer Leaders offer people’s concerns in public prayer, helping hold our worship open to the needs of the world. A Prayer Leader will need an insightful and informed faith, a clear voice, and the ability to set aside your own agenda. Contact Simon Cowling on .

Breakfast Volunteers

Volunteering opportunities are available at the Cathedral Archer Project. You will need to be friendly, reliable and open minded and available early in the morning to serve breakfasts. Contact Sara Sharratt to register your interest in this role.

Flower arrangers

Flower arrangers work as a team, adding beauty to the building and its worship. Arrangers need a good eye for colour and form, relevant experience or a willingness to learn. Contact Margaret Peers via the Cathedral Office on to register your interest in this role.

The Sanctuary Guild

The Sanctuary Guild is a group of embroiderers who care for the vestments and Cathedral embroidery, repairing, designing and working to commissions.

The Guild meets every four weeks on a Wednesday morning to sew and maintain linen used in the Cathedral. Members take care of the vestments, the altar linen, and various other pieces of fabric and decoration around the building. They have a wealth of knowledge about the fabric of the Cathedral and many of our traditions, which they help to keep alive.

Would you like to learn more about their work? Can you sew, or would you like to learn? Would you like to join a group of people who come together to sew, pray, and reflect on the patterns of Cathedral life? Contact Ruby Stenton through the Cathedral Office on for further information, or ask one of the clergy how you can get involved.

Voluntary Chaplains

Voluntary chaplains offer a listening ear and prayerful support to visitors to the Cathedral who are perplexed or in distress. Voluntary Chaplains need to be ordained, a Lay Reader or have experience of offering pastoral care. Contact The Dean on to register your interest in this role.

Community Committee Members

Community Committee Members develop the life of the Cathedral community as part of a team of elected representatives with particular areas of responsibility. Members need to be elected by the congregation at the Annual Meeting and be prepared to act as well as talk. Contact The Dean on to register your interest in this role.

Dusters

Dusters assist the vergers in keeping the building clean. Dusters need to be physically active and happy working under supervision. Contact David Maw via the Cathedral Office on to register your interest in this role.

Coffee Assistants

Coffee Assistants offer refreshments to the congregation after the 10.30am Sunday Eucharist in a friendly and helpful manner. Contact Helen Wragg through the Cathedral Office on to register your interest in this role.

Bell ringers

Bell ringers work as a team to ring the bells on a Sunday and before major services. You will need experience or be willing to learn this complex art. Contact Simon Reading on 0114 236 5340 for further information.