Contact us to ‘Turn Up And Try’ or request a Volunteer Application Form (please supply email or postal address).
Our volunteers are critical to the successful running and operation of The Ballance House, a unique link between Ulster and New Zealand. In 2019 our Volunteers carried out the equivalent of over £17,000 paid hours of work!
How you can help:
❖ Volunteer at our family events and join us for special occasions ❖ Help with catering in the tea barn ❖ Assist with group visits to the House ❖ Get creative with organising children’s activities ❖ Guide and educate visitors on Ulster & New Zealand links ❖ Hands on tasks around the House and grounds ❖ Highlight and promote our work.
If you have a little spare time on occasional Sunday afternoons and bank holidays (April - September), and could help out on event days and group visits throughout the year, we would love to hear from you!
Click here for further information (opens as a pdf)
Volunteering Leaflet (opens as a pdf)
Our Patron
Our Patron is Brian McKnight whom we would like to acknowledge and thank for his support. Without the help and encouragement he provides, The Ballance House would not be in such good repair.
Former Patron of UNZT
Willie John McBride CBE, Patron from 2014 - 2023
Played 63 tests for Ireland and was a British and Irish Lion. during the 1971 tour when the Lions won the test series over New Zealand, he was pack leader - this was the first and last series win over New Zealand. After retiring from playing, McBride managed the 1983 Lions tour to New Zealand.
Former Patron of UNZT
Mr Jack Kyle OBE
Jack Kyle was a Patron of the Trust until 2014. British and Lions player, Jack is best known for leading Ireland to a grand slam in the 1948 Five Nations Championship. The New Zealand Almanac in 1950 named him as one of the six players of the year when he was playing for the British Lions on their tour to New Zealand and Australia.
Founder of the Ulster New Zealand Trust
Mrs Jill McIvor CBE
Jill McIvor was the inspiration for the rebuilding of The Ballance House following the publication of ‘The Rainmaker’ by her son Timothy in New Zealand. She was subsequently appointed the Honorary Consul for New Zealand in Northern Ireland. Mrs McIvor formed the Ulster New Zealand Trust in the 1990s and put together a team to restore the original home of John Ballance.
