The National Trust recently made headlines by blacklisting a dedicated volunteer, Andy Jones, after he flagged spelling errors on its website. At 71, Jones had been with the organization for over a decade, volunteering at various sites.
Background on the Volunteer
Jones had devoted 14 years to the National Trust, initially volunteering at the Woolbeding estate in West Sussex. He later contributed at Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl in the Surrey Hills. His responsibilities varied from gardening to addressing membership inquiries and guiding visitors.
Incident Overview
In an effort to assist the National Trust, Jones compiled a comprehensive dossier containing thousands of spelling and factual errors on the trust’s website. His intent was to help enhance the organization’s online presence.
Response to the Dossier
After submitting his findings, Jones expressed frustration in a strongly worded complaint to his local branch. He criticized the trust’s director-general for the lack of feedback on his submissions. In response, he was informed that his comments fell “not in line with our organisational values,” leading to his dismissal from volunteering activities.
Wider Context of Volunteer Dismissals
This episode reflects a broader trend within the National Trust, where other volunteers have faced similar fates. Earlier in the year, over a dozen volunteer gardeners on the Isle of Wight were suspended for behaviors deemed inconsistent with the trust’s “inclusive culture.”
Allegations of Unfair Treatment
Restore Trust, a group formed by members and supporters of the National Trust, has criticized the organization. They allege the charity is taking punitive actions against volunteers for expressing their views, including volunteers like Jones who seek to contribute positively.
Examples of Errors Highlighted
- Spelling mistakes such as “toliets” and “permanant”
- Grammatical errors like “take a peak”
- Incorrectly spelling the pre-Raphaelite artist Lucy Madox Brown as “Maddox Brown”
Jones’s case sheds light on the challenges faced by volunteers within the National Trust. It raises questions about how the organization navigates its commitment to inclusivity alongside its treatment of individuals who seek to contribute constructively.
