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 17^th 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:

• To welcome and enhance visitors enjoyment of Weston Park
• To provide information about the history of the Weston Park House
• Direct the public around the visitor route
• To maintain vigilance and awareness with regards the collection for conservation and security purposes

Main Responsibilities:

• To present a welcoming and professional image to all visitors.
• To be proactive in approaching and assisting visitors, providing information about the history of the House and collection
• To be pro-active in developing personal knowledge about the history of the House and its contents
• To be aware of other attractions and facilities available on site in order to inform the public
• To care for the collections and items on display by promoting/ensuring their safe and respectful treatment
• To understand the importance of corporate activities at Weston Park, respecting guests attending these and to share relevant information with visiting members of the public

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:

• An interest in the area you are volunteering within the historically rich house
• Must be reliable
• Security conscious
• Friendly, outgoing personality, greeting all visitors with a smile
• Customer focused
• Health and Safety aware
• Diplomatic

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 17^th 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:

• To welcome and enhance visitors enjoyment of Weston Park.
• To provide information about the history of the Weston Park House
• Direct the public around the visitor route
• To maintain vigilance and awareness with regards the collection for conservation and security purposes

Main Responsibilities:

• To present a welcoming and professional image to all visitors.
• To be based in the House, delivering guided tours alongside the Follow Tour Guide
• To be proactive in approaching and assisting visitors, providing information about the history of the House and collection
• To be pro-active in developing personal knowledge about the history of the House and its contents
• To be aware of other attractions and facilities available on site in order to inform the public
• To care for the collections and items on display by promoting/ensuring their safe and respectful treatment.
• To be aware of, and adhere to, all health and safety guidance in place for the benefit of yourself and those around you.
• To be aware of any dangerous occurrences and report them promptly
• To be clean, smartly dressed and enthusiastic at all times
• To understand the importance of corporate activities at Weston Park, respecting guests attending these and to share relevant information with visiting members of the public

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:

• An interest in the area you are volunteering within the historically rich house
• Good diction and articulate, particularly when delivering tours
• Must be reliable and punctual for duty days
• Security conscious
• Friendly, outgoing personality, greeting all visitors with a smile
• Enjoys meeting people
• Customer focused
• Health and Safety aware
• Diplomatic

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 17^th 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:

• To welcome and enhance visitors enjoyment of Weston Park
• To direct the public around the visitor route
• To maintain vigilance and awareness with regards the collection for conservation and security purposes

Main Responsibilities:

• To present a welcoming and professional image to all visitors
• To be based in the House, working alongside the House Tour Guide to guide groups of visitors
• Support the guide delivering tours as follow guide
• To be pro-active in developing personal knowledge about the history of the House and its contents
• To be aware of other attractions and facilities available on site in order to inform the public
• To care for the collections and items on display by promoting/ensuring their safe and respectful treatment
• To be aware of, and adhere to, all health and safety guidance in place for the benefit of yourself and those around you
• To be aware of any dangerous occurrences and report them promptly
• To be clean, smartly dressed and enthusiastic at all times
• To understand the importance of corporate activities at Weston Park, respecting guests attending these and to share relevant information with visiting members of the public

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:

• An interest in the area you are volunteering within the historically rich house
• Good diction and articulate, particularly when delivering tours
• Must be reliable and punctual for duty days
• Security conscious
• Friendly, outgoing personality, greeting all visitors with a smile
• Enjoys meeting people
• Customer focused
• Health and Safety aware
• Diplomatic

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:

• Methodically cleaning the data on MODES Complete
• Adding photographs for entries where required
• Undertaking cataloguing and learning correct catalogue terms including SPECTRUM terminology with support from the Curator and Administrator
• Checking items to ensure that they are correctly numbered and adding inventory numbers where required
• To develop an intimate understanding of this exceptional country house collection of fine and decorative art

Main Responsibilities:

• Collections management and maintenance

Person Specification:

Skills and attributes sought for this role include:

• Good organisational skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Interest in collection management
• Understanding of the principles of databases
• Clear and concise writing style
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability in IT applications
• Basic Photography Skills

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 17^th 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:

• To assist with the conservation of Weston Park’s collections, to aid the charity in its role of preserving the outstanding indigenous items that make up the House’s contents in perpetuity

Main Responsibilities:

• Assisting with cleaning and conserving books
• Helping to maintain the various stores in an ordered and conservation-friendly way
• Liaising with the conservation Housekeeper on day-to-day projects
• Helping as part of a team with occasional projects relating to the collection

Person Specification:

• Ability to undertake physical tasks including some manual handling
• A good communicator who is able to follow basis conservation training
• An interest and enthusiasm for conservation and preservation
• Health and safety aware
• Good standard of personal presentation in a House which welcomes public and clients

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:

• To assist with the development and maintenance of Weston Park’s gardens, ensuring outside areas are attractive and safe for the general public, guests and clients.

Main Responsibilities:

• Watering and potting plants
• Feeding containers
• Edging flower beds
• Raking Gravel paths
• Trimming hedges and deadheading plants
• Clearing weeds

Person Specification:

• An interest in horticulture/gardening
• Health and safety aware
• Good sense of humour

Days and Hours of duty:

• Duties start at 8:00am or 10:00am between Monday to Friday.

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:

• To help children with day activities alongside the Education Leader in both indoor and outdoor activities.
• To be proactive in approaching, welcoming and assisting children and teachers with the activities, responding calmly and professionally to any unexpected issues that may arise.
• To assist the Education Manager with any preparation work for making activities, such as cutting card and making sure enough material is available for activity rooms when school groups arrive.
• To be aware of, and adhere to, all health and safety guidance in place for the benefit of yourself and those around you.
• To provide information about Weston Park and the facilities available.
• To be clean and enthusiastic at all times, dressing appropriately for the particular activity

Volunteer Specification

Skills and interests needed

• Good communication skills. Must be able work with children and adults effectively
• Excellent level of commitment and punctual for duty days
• Health and Safety aware.
• An interest in the educational activities that Weston Park has to offer
• Excellent level of commitment
• Be prepared to undergo an enhanced DBS check

Desirable knowledge

• A background in teaching and/or education
• Good knowledge of History

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.

Volunteer Art Gallery Assistant, Weston Park

Role Title:   Volunteer Art Gallery Assistant

Reporting to:  Curatorial & Learning Administrator and Security Supervisor

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

Purpose of Role:

Weston Park’s Granary Art Gallery opened in 2009 following the conversion of the 18^th Century Granary building with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This beautiful new space features monthly selling art exhibitions from contemporary artists around the country, as well as displaying a handful of historic paintings on loan to Weston Park from private collections. The Art Gallery plays an important role in supporting the charitable aims of the organisation, as all commission received from sold works goes towards providing materials for more than 6000 school children who visit Weston Park every year. Weston Park are looking for Volunteers to work within the Gallery, to assist visitors and sell works.

Main Responsibilities:

• To welcome visitors who are visiting the Art Gallery
• To provide information about Weston Park, current and future exhibitions in the Gallery
• To assist customers choosing to buy pieces and process any sales
• To make sure works are safe, responding calmly and professionally to any unexpected issues that may arise
• To be clean and enthusiastic, dressing appropriately
• To assist at Gallery private view events, welcoming guests and promoting the artists work
• To be positive about all exhibitions irrespective of personal likes or dislikes

Volunteer Specification:

Skills and interests needed

• Good communication skills
• Ability and willingness to learn about Weston Park and the exhibitions in the Art Gallery
• Health and Safety aware
• Excellent level of commitment

Desirable skills and interests

• An interest in contemporary art
• Good sales skills

Hours of involvement

The Gallery is open seven days a week. Duties are split into two sessions every day; 10:45 until 1:30 and 1:30 until 4pm. The amount of duties and days when a volunteer would like to work is flexible.

Front of House Volunteer, Museum of Cannock Chase

Role Purpose: 

• To provide a warm and friendly welcome to visitors, answer questions, engage with and supervise visitors in the galleries and help maintain museum security during opening hours
• To provide support to Front of House and other staff, and assist with events, activities, administration and/or the Museum’s Education service

Reporting to: Visitor Services Officer

Key Duties: 

• Welcoming visitors to the Museum and responding to queries in a helpful manner
• Inhabiting the Museum galleries to facilitate access for visitors to areas which would otherwise be closed
• Supporting and encouraging visitors to engage appropriately with Museum artefacts
• Supervising visitors with regard to health and safety and maintaining Museum procedures
• Assisting with the evacuation of visitors in an emergency
• Helping to ensure the overall tidiness of the galleries, Reception area and Coffee Shop

Other duties, dependant on your experience and volunteering preferences, might include:

• Supporting Front of House staff at Reception and in the Coffee Shop
• Supporting the Museum’s Education service through assisting with formal or informal learning activities
• Supporting events and activities
• Assisting with office administration (i.e. logging timesheets or visitor feedback)
• Carrying out simple maintenance/gardening tasks

Skills and experience required: 

• Polite, friendly and helpful manner; enjoy meeting people
• Good observation and conversation skills and have an eye for detail
• An interest in local history is desirable but no specific knowledge is expected
• Punctuality, reliability and good interpersonal skill
• You will be volunteering under the guidance of the Visitor Services Officer, but much of the time you will be working unsupervised
• This role may involve computer work

Time commitment: Variable, to be discussed with Visitor Services Officer. Typically a weekly commitment of a half to a full day would be desirable

Training and support: 

• The following training will be provided:
• Introductory chat about the role and the Museum
• General induction to the Museum
• Training in role-specific tasks (i.e. object handling, Reception processes; Coffee Shop processes)
• Training on the Museum’s IT systems if appropriate

Benefits of volunteering:

• Meet new people and develop your skills and experience
• Gain experience in a museum environment
• Volunteer within a friendly team
• Enhance your knowledge of local history and the Museum collections

Recruitment Process: Application form and informal chat, followed by an induction.  References may be requested depending on role.

Contact them: Email museumofcannockchase@ihlmail.org, call 01543 877666 or collect a Volunteer Application Form from the Museum during open hours.

Museum Volunteers, Claymills Victorian Pumping Station

Claymills Pumping Engine Trust operates a unique working steam museum – Claymills Victorian Pumping Station – and, as such, cares for a wide range of operational steam machinery and ancillary equipment from 1885 onwards used in the pumping station, and also an extensive archive including original documentation and other records, including photographs. Claymills Victorian Pumping Station is an Accredited Museum and aims to care for and conserve its collections to professional standards. Claymills is entirely volunteer-led and has no employees.

Claymills is always seeking volunteers to support the museum – everything from engineering to catering, from front-of-house to tour guides, from administration to gardening, from catering to cleaning. If you have a skill, Claymills can probably use it!