Membership
Become a Friend of Antarctica
Antarctica matters. In a changing climate, we conserve its heritage and share its stories, we connect people to its past and inspire action that protects the continent’s future. Together, our Friends form a community at the heart of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust. Join now to play your part.
Discovery Friend
- Stay connected to Antarctica all year round
- From £3 per month
Endeavour Friend
- Make your membership go further
- From £20 per month
Port Lockroy Patron
- Make a real difference to a special place
- From £50 per month
Friend of Antarctica benefits
Membership pack
On joining, all our Friends receive a welcome pack comprising the latest Antarctic Times magazine, a Base A Port Lockroy souvenir guide, a Port Lockroy postcard, a UKAHT sticker, a pencil and a pin badge worth £22.
Member magazine
Our Friends are the first to receive our twice-yearly member magazine Antarctic Times, which gives you an in-depth look at our latest work and the progress we’re making.
Email updates
Each month we’ll keep in touch with our email newsletter containing updates from Antarctica, first-to-know community news, inspiring Antarctic content, online shop promotions and invites to in-person and online events.
Membership in action
Every Friend of Antarctica membership supports the conservation of historic buildings and artefacts in Antarctica, the protection of its unique natural environment and wildlife and enables us to develop exciting community and cultural programmes to share Antarctica’s story. Becoming a member will make a tangible difference right now.
Rescuing heritage at risk
At Blaiklock Island Refuge, the external felt, which protects the hut from water ingress and ice abrasion, had been ripped away. The hardwood panels were water-damaged and distorted. Fuel needed to be removed from historic containers. Through the resilience, teamwork and sheer determination of our field experts the building was rescued and secured against the hostile conditions for years to come.
Connecting communities with Antarctica
Through our ‘Antarctica in the Community’ events programme, we are bringing polar science to young people and underserved groups through creative events that inspire curiosity, environmental responsibility and a sense that science is for everyone.
Gift a Membership
By gifting a membership, you are making someone you love a Friend of Antarctica. On the joining form, you can choose whether you want the welcome pack sent to you to give in person or direct to the gift recipient.
Greater protection for Endurance
Following our conservation management plan for Shackleton’s ship, we are leading on the proposal to designate the wreck as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area. This May, after three years of expert study and extensive international consultation, the proposal was approved at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. Another step nearer to securing the ship’s protection in perpetuity.
Membership FAQs
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about UKAHT membership.
Choosing
What are the UKAHT membership options available?
We offer three levels of UKAHT membership: Discovery, Endeavour and Port Lockroy Patron.
Is Endeavour or Port Lockroy Patron right for me?
Our Endeavour Friends and Port Lockroy Patrons support our work philanthropically, enjoying a closer relationship with the charity while enjoying exclusive events. As a Patron you will also receive recognition at Port Lockroy, a postcard from Antarctica and personal updates.
Are there joint or family memberships available?
Each membership has a primary member but we can add partners and family members to the membership. Contact our team on [email protected] or +44(0)1223 355049 to do this.
Are there child memberships available?
At present we do not offer memberships for children but our penguin adoptions are a popular gift for a child.
Can I gift a membership?
Yes. By gifting a membership, you are making someone you love a Friend of Antarctica. On the joining form, you can choose whether you want the welcome pack sent to you to give in person or directly to the gift recipient. To be eligible to sign up for Gift Aid you must be a UK taxpayer and understand that if you pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year, it is your responsibility to pay any difference. All we need from you is a single Gift Aid declaration, which will not only cover your future donations but also donations you have made to the charity for the past 4 years. To make your declaration, you can either:
How much does it cost to join?
What are my payment options?
You can make a one-off payment by credit/debit card or pay monthly or annually by Direct Debit or recurring card payment. If you would prefer to pay by cheque, contact our team at [email protected] or +44(0)1223 355049.
What benefits do I get?
All new members receive a welcome pack shortly after you join. Our Friends are the first to receive our twice-yearly magazine, Antarctic Times, monthly newsletters and event invitations.
What’s in the welcome pack?
Your welcome pack will contain our Port Lockroy guidebook, a magazine, a postcard, a pin badge, a pencil and stickers.
Joining
Can I set up a UKAHT membership on the telephone?
Yes. Call our team on +44(0)1223 355049 to do this.
Can I set up a UKAHT membership online?
Yes. It’s easy to become a UKAHT member online. We offer three levels of UKAHT membership: Discovery, Endeavour and Port Lockroy Patron.
Can I Gift Aid my membership fee?
Yes. Through Gift Aid, we can increase the value of your membership fee by 25p for every £1 you pay, although Gift Aid cannot be claimed on gift memberships. To be eligible, you must be a UK taxpayer and understand that, if you pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the total amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year, you are responsible for paying the difference. A single Gift Aid declaration will cover both future donations and any donations you have made to the charity during the past four years. You can complete the declaration online, or request a paper copy by emailing [email protected] or calling 01223 355049. Please also let us know if you change your name or address, or if you no longer pay enough Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax to cover the Gift Aid claimed. Our team will be happy to answer any questions or provide assistance.
Making changes
How do I upgrade my membership?
If you wish to upgrade your membership level, you can contact our team on [email protected] or +44(0)1223 355049. Your renewal email will also have a link for you to choose to upgrade.
Can I cancel at any time, and will I receive a refund if I’ve paid the full amount?
You can contact UKAHT and cancel at any time – monthly payments will cease at the point you cancel. If you’ve paid annually, we ensure you carry on receiving member benefits until your renewal date at which point the membership will stop unless you advise us otherwise.
Is there a cancellation fee?
We do not charge a cancellation fee for any memberships that are cancelled.
Will the price that I’m paying now always stay the same?
Should we change any costs of membership we will communicate this to our members. We use every membership fee responsibly and effectively to support our mission to promote greater public engagement with Antarctica through heritage conservation, storytelling and advocacy.
How do I update my contact details?
The address we hold for you is associated with your membership, so it’s important we have the correct information for you. To update your address simply contact us on [email protected] or +44(0)1223 355049.
RENEWing
How long does my membership last and does it automatically renew?
Memberships last for 12 months, and whether it automatically renews depends on how you pay. If you paid by Direct Debit or recurring card payment, it will renew automatically. If you made a one-off payment, you will receive a renewal email prior to your membership year ending.
Can I renew my UKAHT membership over the telephone?
Yes. Call our team on +44(0)1223 355049 to do this. You can make a payment by debit or credit card, or you can set up a Direct Debit, so you will need these details available when you call.
Can I renew my UKAHT membership online?
Yes. You will receive an email when your membership is due to renew if you use one-off payments with a link to an online form.
Further help
I completed the online joining form, but did not receive an acknowledgement email or welcome pack. Can you help?
Yes. We can look into this for you. We’ll need a few details first, so please get in touch by email at [email protected] or by telephone on +44(0)1223 355049.
Why haven’t I received my copy of Antarctic Times magazine this month?
We can look into this for you. We’ll need a few details first so please get in touch by email at [email protected] or by telephone on +44(0)1223 355049.
