Our Trailmakers are here to help
Our Trailmakers are here to make your experience of the Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent Art trail even more enjoyable and to ensure that you can explore Maidstone and see all 109 large and little sculptures.
You’ll find our Trailmakers at various locations along the trail and at our two town center Shaun shops. They are always ready to assist you, whether you need directions, information or just a friendly chat. If you have a question about the trail, don’t hesitate to ask any of our friendly Trailmakers, you’ll spot them in their bright blue t-shirts!
From everyone at Heart of Kent Hospice and our Shaun the Sheep in the Heart Kent Trailmakers, we hope you have a fantastic time exploring the trail and finding and unlocking all the sculptures!
Interested in volunteering on the Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent art trail?
We’re looking for volunteers to help us deliver the Shaun in the Heart of Kent art trail. If ewe enjoy meeting and talking to new people and are looking for something fun to do this summer, we could have just the role for ewe.
Our Trailmaker roles include:
- Volunteering in one of our two Shaun the Sheep retail shops in Maidstone town centre. You will support the Shaun in the Heart of Kent team in the efficient daily running of the Shaun shops selling merchandise, assisting trail participants and representing Heart of Kent Hospice in our local community.
- Looking after the sculptures out and about on the trail by helping to clean them. You will provide information and directions to visitors whilst also promoting Heart of Kent Hospice. This will all assist in the efficient daily running of the art trail.
- During the trail we are looking for drivers and driver’s mates to take Roaming Shaun to his destination and to also attend events and represent the hospice e.g. Kent County Show
If you are as excited about this as we are, we’d love to hear from you. Here are a few things you need to know:
- These are unpaid volunteer roles
- We’d love your help but must ask that you are 18+ to undertake these roles
- Trailmakers are required to volunteer from 29 June to 15 September – the shops will be open from 29 June through to 30 August and the Farewell Weekend from the 13-15th
- Compulsory attendance is required at an induction session either 1:00pm-3:00pm or 5:30pm-7:30pm on Monday 10 June 2024 at Heart of Kent Hospice, Preston Hall, Aylesford, Maidstone ME20 7PU
- You can volunteer for as many or as few shifts as you are available but we do ask for a firm commitment
- As part of the recruitment process you will need to complete a short application form and provide details of referees. We can help you with this, so please just ask.
- We will provide you with a “colourful” Shaun in the Heart of Kent T-shirt for use when representing the Hospice as part of the trail and as a keepsake of your time as a Trailmaker. These will be available to collect at the induction session but we will need your size in advance.
- We hope you have fun, and perhaps even consider helping us long after the Shaun flock has departed. We have lots of volunteer opportunities waiting for you!
To apply please download and complete the Shaun volunteer application form and return to shaun@hokh.co.uk
Alternatively send an email to shaun@hokh.co.uk or telephone 07596 856667.
Download an application form
Don’t just take our word for it!
We asked some of our Trailmakers from ‘Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade’ in 2021 what their highlight of the trail was.
Here’s what they said:
“Getting outside regularly, doing something to benefit other people, representing a wonderful organisation and raising my self esteem. Meeting a lovely troupe of elephants – I became very attached to them all.”
“Seeing the joy it brought to the community.”
“I loved hearing children shouting ‘Elmer’ at the sight of the Elephant outside my house at all times of the day. However, whilst that way enjoyable raising awareness and raising funds for the Hospice is far more important.”
“The community spirit on the streets and in the shops, everyone loved that there was something going on in the County town especially in the school holidays.”
