Tar Tunnel Tour Guide Volunteer, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

This a key role in providing a warm welcome and high quality experience for all
visitors to the Tar Tunnel. Volunteer Guides have a vital role to play by delivering
memorable and enjoyable tours that bring the Tar Tunnel and the surrounding area
to life and enhance the visitor’s experience.

The volunteer tour guides lead tours for pre-booked groups from Coalport China
Museum for a short walk along the canal to the Tar Tunnel and Hay Incline Plane.
During the 45 minute tour they will be explaining the history of the area and the
significant impact the site had. Tours take place every Friday and Sunday during the
summer season (early July to early September) at 11am/12.30pm and 2.00pm. You
can commit to just one tour or for a whole day.

Full training and support will be provided. IGMT staff will be responsible for carrying
out air quality checks and any cash handling.
The museum are looking for volunteers who:
• Enjoy talking to and engaging with the public and re-telling stories of the
Ironbridge Gorge and its fascinating history
• While no formal experience or qualifications are necessary, we hope you will
have an enthusiasm for history and storytelling
• You will have excellent time keeping skills and be able to confidently answer
questions from visitors
• This role is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in the heritage sector
and share your passion for history
Contact lesley.walker@ironbridge.org.uk for more information or visit
https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/about-us/volunteering

Learning Assistant Volunteer, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

 

The Learning Assistant will work alongside the Lifelong Learning Team, to help with the delivery of the high-quality learning experiences Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) offer to the 20,000+ school pupils who visit the museums each year, and to the families who take part in their informal learning offer.  Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is an education and conservation charity, and as such the work of the Learning Team is at the heart of our values and charitable aims.

IGMT’s programme for schools includes the ever-popular Victorian Schoolroom session, Brickmaking and Candle Dipping at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Power Buggies and Bridges workshops at Enginuity, hands on activities at Coalport China Museum, and interactive tours at Jackfield Tile Museum – to name but a few!

IGMT offer a programme of activities for families across all the museums: Bright Sparks Sensory Play for babies, Enginuity Explorers for pre-school children, holiday workshops and craft activities for all the family, as well as adult craft courses.

IGMT are looking to recruit volunteers to help with the following activities:

  • Preparing school groups for the Victorian Schoolroom
  • Meeting and Greeting schools on arrival at Blists Hill Victorian Town
  • Delivering the Bright Sparkes Babies Session at Enginuity
It is possible for successful candidates to carry out all or some of these roles, depending on your interests, experience, and availability.

 

Location: Roles are based at Blists Hill Victorian Town and Enginuity, Coalbrookdale

For each of the three roles the volunteer will be expected to

  • Be aware of and respond to the different learning and engagement styles of visitors
  • Be aware of and respond to the different needs of all visitors, including those with disabilities
  • Work collaboratively and flexibly with other IGMT staff and volunteers to ensure visitors get the best possible learning experience
  • Be vigilant in protecting the museums and collections from theft or damage and to advise staff members on site if any issues arise
  • Be familiar with the fire alarm and evacuation procedures and guide all visitors to exits from the building in the event of an emergency
  • Ensure that standards of presentation are maintained daily
  • To undertake any training relevant to the role and/or generic museum work
  • To carry out any other duties that may be reasonably requested

Delivery of Bright Sparks Babies Sensory Play:

  • Set up the room for the session, according to the session plans
  • Greet participants and explain the session to them
  • Interact with parents and babies for the duration of the session
  • Tidy the room at the end of the session
  • Sessions take place fortnightly on Thursday mornings, see link for dates: https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/events/family-events/sensory-play-session-at-bright-sparks/
  • These pre-booked sessions are aimed at babies from birth to those who are beginning to walk
  • This volunteer is required to work from 9.15 – 11.30 each session

Victorian Schoolroom Preparation:

  • The volunteer supporting the Victorian School room activity will introduce the Schoolroom experience.  They will dress the children in our Victorian costume and escort them to the schoolroom, where the children will meet the Victorian School Teacher, played by a member of the Learning Team.
  • The volunteer will meet the group at the end of the session an escort them back to the top of the site, help them to take the costume up and tidy it ready for the next session.
  • Ensure that the school is aware of its itinerary for the rest of the day.
  • There may be multiple sessions throughout the day.  This volunteer needs to be on site from 9.30 until the end of the last session (variable, but generally no later than 14:00 unless by agreement)

Meeting and Greeting:

  • To provide a warm welcome for all schools as they arrive at the visitor centre each day
  • To be aware of each school name, and the name of the lead teacher so they can be greeted by name
  • To hand out up to date copies of the school’s itinerary for the day
  • To ensure teachers check in at the front desk and collect tickets
  • To wait until the last booked school has arrived
  • Hours for this role are 9.30 – approximately 11.30 (with extensions by arrangement)

Experience and Qualifications

Variable according to which role is being applied for, but in general:

  • Experience of, or interest in, working with children and young people
  • Knowledge of the IGMT sites, or a willingness to learn
  • Flexible approach to the role – sometimes things do not got to plan and you will need to think on your feet
  • Understanding of how babies develop through sensory play or an interest in learning more about this (specific to Bright Sparks Sensory Play session)
  • Good customer service skills
  • Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team

Commitment

Hours for each role are listed above. IGMT would ideally expect a commitment of one day a week for the roles at Blists Hill Victorian Town, and once a fortnight at Enginuity.  Days to be worked at Blists Hill Victorian Town are flexible, according to the level of bookings each week, but will be planned in advance.

Training

All volunteers will undertake a full induction to the role they will be working in, and the site, followed by training through observations and the provision of background notes were necessary.  Volunteers will be supported by a member of the Learning Team until they feel comfortable in the role.  Observations of the volunteers will take place at a suitable interval, with feedback given, and additional support made available if needed.

Opportunities will exist to undertake further training as part of the department wide training programme each year.

Volunteers will be invited to join the Learning Team when they visit other museums, to gain knowledge and experience of the sector.

Due to the nature of the role, working closely with children, each volunteer will be expected to complete safeguarding training and will be DBS checked.

Contact

For more information please contact Amanda Phillipson on amanda.phillipson@ironbridge.org.uk or call 01952 435 909

Volunteer Darby Houses Guide, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Aim of the role

This is a key role in providing a warm welcome and high-quality experience for all visitors to the Darby Houses. Guides are essential in helping visitors to engage with the story of the houses and the Darby family in a relaxed and informal way and supporting them if they wish to learn more and explore the houses and collections at a deeper level.

Location

Based at the Darby Houses and volunteering in a flexible manner as required, in both Dale House and Rosehill to provide sufficient cover at each house.

Expectations

Experience

A passion and enthusiasm for history, with either formal qualifications and/or relevant experience or a willingness to learn. Educational, teaching skills, heritage volunteering experience would be an advantage.

Commitment expected

The Houses will be open from 25 July – 11 September. 1 x Full day 9:45am – 5:15pm per month or 2 x ½ days per month either 9:45am – 1:00pm or 12:45pm – 5:15pm.

Training

All volunteers will be offered an induction and training session covering the history of the houses including the Darby family and the objects on display. Training will also be given on engaging with visitors. Other information and reading material will also be made available to support volunteers in developing their knowledge of the houses.

Main Contact

Senior Curator

Volunteer House Room Steward, Weston Park

Role Title:  Volunteer  House Room Steward

Reporting to:  Gallery & Learning Coordinator and Security Supervisor

Accountable to: Curator & Head of Learning and Chief Executive.

 

Weston was the ancestral home to the Earls of Bradford and contains internationally important collections of art and antiques, which reflect the collecting passions of the Newport and Bridgeman families.

Volunteer Room Stewards play a very important role within the 17th Century House, ensuring that visitors to the house have an informative and enjoyable day.

Volunteer Room Stewards are required to provide information to visitors, this can be within a particular room or between a number of rooms which the room steward walks between, making sure the collection is preserved and looked after for future generations.

 

Purpose of Role:

 

Main Responsibilities:

 

Days and Hours of involvement:

The House is open Sunday to Tuesday during the open season over Easter and school summer holidays. Hours of duty are 12:45 until 5pm. Additional tour duties may arise during the rest of the year.

 

Volunteer Specification:

 

Length of your commitment to us:

The length of positions varies according to the circumstances of each person.

Weston Park’s House and Gardens are open seasonally between Whitsun and September.

 

Volunteer House Tour Guide, Weston Park

Role Title:   Volunteer House Tour Guide

Reporting to:  Curatorial & Learning Administrator and Security Supervisor

Accountable to: Curator & Head of Learning and Chief Executive

 

Weston was the ancestral home to the Earls of Bradford and contains internationally important collections of art and antiques, which reflect the collecting passions of the Newport and Bridgeman families.

Volunteer Guides play an important role within the 17th Century House, ensuring that visitors to the have an informative and enjoyable day. Many groups, including families, children, coach parties and corporate groups visit the House during the open season during Easter and the summer holidays.

Volunteer Tours Guides are required to give visitors guided tours around the main ground floor rooms of the House, providing information about the collection and history of the family.

 

Purpose of Role:

 

Main Responsibilities:

 

Days and Hours of involvement:

The House is open Sunday to Tuesday during the open season during Easter and school summer holidays. Hours of duty are 12:45 until 5pm. Additional tour duties may arise during the rest of the year.

 

Volunteer Specification:

 

Length of your commitment to us:

The length of positions varies according to the circumstances of each person.

Weston Park’s House and Gardens are open seasonally between Whitsun and September. The Granary Art Gallery is open all year.

 

 

 

Volunteer House Follow Guide, Weston Park

Role Title:   Volunteer House Follow Guide

Reporting to:  Curatorial & Learning Administrator and Security Supervisor

Accountable to: Curator & Head of Learning and Chief Executive.

 

Weston was the ancestral home to the Earls of Bradford and contains internationally important collections of art and antiques, which reflect the collecting passions of the Newport and Bridgeman families.

All Volunteer House Guides play an important role within the 17th Century House, ensuring that visitors to the have an informative and enjoyable day. Many groups, including families, children, coach parties and corporate groups visit the House during the open season during Easter and School summer holidays and other dates in the year.

Volunteer Follow Guides are required to support House Tour Guides, guiding tour groups around each of the main ground floor rooms in the House in order to make sure the narrative of each room can be delivered to all members of the group by the House Tour Guide. Follow Guides are also required to make sure the collection is preserved and looked after for future generations.

 

Purpose of Role:

 

Main Responsibilities:

 

Days and Hours of involvement:

The House is open Sunday to Tuesday during the open season which runs during Easter and the summer school holidays between. Hours of duty are 12:45 until 5pm. Additional duties may arise during the rest of the year.

 

Volunteer Specification:

 

Length of your commitment to us:

The length of positions varies according to the circumstances of each person.

Weston Park’s House and Gardens are open seasonally between Whitsun and September. The Granary Art Gallery is open all year.

 

 

 

Volunteer MODES Collection Inventory Assistant, Weston Park

Role Title:    Volunteer MODES Collection Inventory Assistant

Reporting to:  Curator & Head of Learning

Accountable to: Curator & Head of Learning and Chief Executive

 

The Weston Park Foundation is an independent charitable trust with learning and conservation objectives, dedicated to Weston Park, its park and gardens of 1000 acres and the indigenous internationally important collections of fine and decorative art. In addition, the property also has the Granary Art Gallery a free-access contemporary art space that offers monthly changing exhibitions year round.

 

Project Description:

Weston Park’s inventory of over 30,000 objects is stored on MODES (Museum Object Data Entry System) Complete, a digital database. Around 600 museums, galleries and other organisations throughout the UK use MODES to manage their collection information. Weston Park’s records require continual checking to ensure that data is in the correct fields and that complete records of provenance (where known) are given, especially where the fine art collection is concerned. It is an essential and vital part of the way that they manage the important collection.

The MODES Collection Inventory Assistant will work as a part of the Curatorial & Learning Team reporting to the Curator & Head of Learning and to the Administrator. They will be based in the Curatorial & Learning Department and in the House.

 

Purpose of Role:

 

Main Responsibilities:

 

Person Specification:

Skills and attributes sought for this role include:

 

An induction into Weston Park’s working practices and the work of the department will be given. They will also give on-the-job training for each aspect of the role, including the use of the MODES database and also cataloguing style.

 

Days and Hours of duty:

They request a minimum of half a day per week, and an ongoing commitment to the project. Dates and times of duties can be arranged to suit the individual.

Volunteer Conservation Assistant, Weston Park

Role Title:    Volunteer Conservation Assistant

Reporting to:  Curator & Head of Learning, Conservation Housekeeper

Accountable to: Curator & Head of Learning and Chief Executive.

 

Weston Park attracts around 25,000 visitors during the open season which includes families, children, coach parties and corporate groups. These visitors come see the 17th century House, Park & Gardens, Temple Wood, Adventure Playground, Granary Farm Shop, Art Gallery, Restaurant and other specific on-site events.  The Weston Park Foundation which owns the property is a registered charity and conservation and learning are core purposes of it.

Volunteer Conservation Assistants are required to work alongside the Conservation Housekeeper to help with specific conservation projects along with general day-to-day collections management activities, usually within the House.

 

Purpose of Role:

 

Main Responsibilities:

 

Person Specification:

 

Days and Hours of duty:

Duties start at 9:00am or 10:00am between Tuesday and Thursday (inc.) Length of duties are negotiable with th

Volunteer Gardener, Weston Park

Role Title: Volunteer Gardener – Walled Gardens

Reporting to: Head Gardener, Gardening Assistants

Accountable to: Head Gardener and Chief Executive

 

Weston Park attracts around 25,000 visitors during the open season between May and September which includes families, children, coach parties and corporate groups. These visitors come see the 17th century House, Park & Gardens, Temple Wood, Adventure Playground, Art Gallery, Granary Grill & Deli and other specific on-site events.

Volunteer Gardeners are required to work alongside the Head Gardener to help with specific major gardening development projects along with general maintenance of the park and gardens.

The team is currently keen to have assistance in the development of the walled garden, where vegetables and herbs are grown for use in the House and Brasserie Restaurant, and where they are looking to develop a new educational offer for school visits.

 

Purpose of Role:

 

Main Responsibilities:

 

Person Specification:

 

Days and Hours of duty:

Length of duties are negotiable with the Head

Volunteer Education Assistant, Weston Park

Role Title: Volunteer Education Assistant

Reporting to: Educating Kids Outdoors (EKO)

Accountable to: Curator & Head of Learning and Chief Executive

 

Purpose of Role:

Volunteer Education Assistants play a vital role in supporting the activities of the Learning Department at Weston Park. Around 7000 school children aged between 4 and 11 visit Weston every year to take part in indoor and outdoor curricular based activities delivered by Educating Kids Outdoors.  Education Assistants are required to participate in day activities with school groups, working alongside Education Leaders.

Education Assistants are based within the activity rooms at Weston Park for indoor activities and are based around the Park and Gardens for outdoor activities.

 

Main Responsibilities:

 

Volunteer Specification

Skills and interests needed

 

Desirable knowledge

 

Hours of involvement

School group activities run Monday to Friday both in term time and during holidays.

 

Requested hours of service:

We request a minimum of ten sessions per season. This can include help with schools, gardens, wildlife walks, conservation work, House duties and any administrative help (when requested).

 

Length of your commitment to us

The length of positions varies according to the circumstances of each person.