JOIN THE COCKPIT TEAM

Volunteer at Cockpit

Become part of the Cockpit volunteer team! Our external events are a busy time at Cockpit, with sites located in both Bloomsbury and Deptford. Events include our biannual Open Studios, the launch of our annual report, The Cockpit Effect, during London Craft Week, and more!  

Each event is an invaluable opportunity to meet a diverse body of makers that create and showcase their craft directly to the public. The volunteer team are key and help Cockpit to deliver a smooth and enriching experience to all our partners and visitors.

What is Cockpit?

Cockpit is a centre of excellence in contemporary craft. Spanning a wide range of craft disciplines, Cockpit makers are united by their extraordinary skill and imagination. Bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, our mission is to equip makers to succeed on their own terms, creatively and commercially. 

A charity and award-winning social enterprise, Cockpit gives makers tools to build their businesses so they can focus on what they do best: making. We provide funded studio space, in-house business training and coaching, and exhibition opportunities for 175+ makers practicing 23 different disciplines. Beyond Cockpit we work with makers throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. 

Cockpit as we know it today began in 1986 when Camden Recycling created five starter units in Cockpit Yard for young, unemployed makers. In the early 2000s we opened our second location in Deptford and launched our pioneering business support programme. From there, Cockpit’s reputation grew to become the destination for makers starting up in practice. Highly sought-after, a place at Cockpit is a mark of quality. 

The Role: Events Volunteer

What will you do?

By joining the Cockpit team as a volunteer, you help us by being an on-site presence during our external events. You will actively engage with those running the event, offer help, talk to and guide visitors around the building, and pass any problems or issues back to the event manager. 

Key qualities: 

• Ideal for someone with a genuine interest in craft and the creative sector and keen to learn from interactions with the core team and makers.

• Good communication skills, friendly, and with a natural ability to engage with the public.

• Confident sharing some knowledge with visitors about Cockpit and what it does as a charity.

• Possess a calm and measured presence to assist with the smooth delivery of the events.

Who are we looking for?

• Presentable, confident, and enthusiastic individuals who have a keen interest in craft, design, and the visual arts.

• Have some experience of working at events, customer service, and/or invigilating exhibitions.

• Can confidently and clearly give directions and assist the public with queries.

• Able to attend online training and on-site training on the day of the event. 

Key Event Dates: 

• Bloomsbury: 
  • Thursday 26-Sunday 29 November

• Deptford: 
  • Friday 4-Sunday 6 December

Hours of Work: 

• You would be expected to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the public opening times. 

• The shifts are usually in 3-hour blocks with one half hour (30 minute) break, unless specified. 

• You will not need to be available for all the days/times, but should be able to offer shifts equivalent to two full days.  

Expenses 

• A stipend of £25 is allocated to cover daily travel expenses and food allowance.  Please provide receipts with your claim form. 

• You will also be able to redeem a lunch voucher at the onsite café, if working a full day. 

• Refreshments and light snacks will be provided for breaks. 

How to apply and get involved:

If you would like to get involved, please send your CV to sarah@cockpitstudios.org by Monday 2 November 2026. Please include ‘Volunteer’ in the Subject line, and include the following information:  

• Whether you are interested in helping prep for the events 

• Any availability restrictions you are already aware of 

Please also complete our Volunteering form using this link: Volunteer at Cockpit 

We will review all applications following the deadline and notify you via email. 

Cockpit is looking for a seasoned, ambitious Gallery & Retail Manager to lead of an exciting new gallery and retail space in the City of London.

Contract: 24-month Fixed Term Contract
Hours: 10.30am–6.30pm, Tuesday–Saturday
Salary:  £38,000
Start date: 4 January 2027
Reports to: CEO and COO

Cockpit is a centre of excellence in contemporary craft and home to more than 180 makers united by their extraordinary skill and creativity. A charity recognised as a UK top 100 social enterprise, we give makers the tools to build their businesses so they can focus on what they do best: making. We provide funded studio space, in-house business training and coaching, and exhibition opportunities for makers working across 25 different disciplines.

Cockpit aims to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity and is the UK’s only business incubator for makers. We are a destination for talent, having launched the careers of some of the major names in craft.

This year Cockpit celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking four decades as one of the UK’s most influential charities for contemporary craft and making. To celebrate this milestone, we will be bringing Cockpit to new audiences, to share the extraordinary skill and creativity of our makers through the opening of an exciting new gallery and retail space in the City of London — a public-facing home for Cockpit’s makers, showcasing exceptional contemporary craft through rotating exhibitions, a curated retail offer, and a programme of workshops, talks and private views.

We’re looking for a seasoned, ambitious Gallery & Retail Manager to lead this new space from launch. This is a senior hands-on role is suited to someone who combines a genuine passion for contemporary craft with strong commercial, operational, and people management instincts.

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter outlining how you fulfil the brief. Your cover letter should outline your interest in the post and working with Cockpit, and how your experience fits the job role.

Applications due by: Midnight, Tuesday 17 November 2026