Anna Seward Sewing Group, Erasmus Darwin House
Anna Seward Sewing Group
You will be supporting the museum by helping to ensure that visitors are able to continue to try Georgian costumes by helping to make and repair the clothes in the museum for dressing up. You will also help with making costumes for volunteers, which are worn at various events throughout the year.
The friendly group tend to meet on the second Monday of each month at 1.30pm and all levels of ability are welcome.
Attributes:
• Interest in history
• Enjoy being part of a team
• Some sewing ability would be an advantage
Collections Volunteers; Museum of Cannock Chase
Role Purpose: To assist with the care and documentation of the museum collection
Reporting to: Collections Officer
Key Duties:
- Undertaking research into the objects in the Museum collection, as requested
- Responding to queries from internal and external stakeholders regarding objects and collections
- Updating digital and paper records
- Carrying out condition checks (with training)
- Checking environmental and pest monitoring equipment and updating records (with training)
- Facilitating access to/engagement with the collection
Skills and Experience required:
- Basic IT skills (Word, Excel)
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Interest in history and caring for historical objects
- Interest/experience in research
- Willing to learn to use the Museum’s collections database
- Flexible, proactive approach
Time Commitment: Variable, to be discussed with Collections Officer. Typically a weekly commitment of a half to 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, conservation cleaning, condition checks, monitoring environmental and pest control equipment)
- Training on the Museum’s record-keeping systems
Benefits of volunteering:
- Meet new people and learn new skills
- 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.
Visitor and Reception Welcome Host, Erasmus Darwin House
You’ll play a vital role in bringing the museum to life by offering a warm welcome to visitors from all over the World. You’ll be a visitor’s first port of call, helping them to engage with the museum in a relaxed and informative way. You could be supporting our fundraising efforts by promoting the gift aid option on entry fee or encouraging sales in our gift shop.
You’ll be part of a friendly and dedicated team of volunteers that offer a high standard of customer service throughout the year. Erasmus Darwin House is looking for committed and enthusiastic people with little or lots of time to spare, who can help us share the fascinating story of Erasmus Darwin to visitors of all ages. You’ll also get to take part in new experiences, improve your communication skills, grow in confidence and learn new things. There is also the opportunity to be involved in temporary projects.
Attributes:
- Interest in history
- Enjoy being part of a team
- Honesty and keen to learn/engage with the public
Practical considerations:
- Usual front of house shift times:
- Winter, Thursday – Monday: 11am – 1.30pm or 1.30pm – 4pm
- Summer, daily: 11am – 2pm or 2pm – 5pm
- All volunteers are expected to attend induction and refresher training sessions.
For more information please contact Marie Burbage:-
Tel: 01543 306260
Email: enquiries@erasmusdarwin.org
Garden Helper, Erasmus Darwin House
Garden Helper
Erasmus Darwin House, Lichfield
Help the team maintain their historic Herb garden for everyone to enjoy all year round. They’re looking for committed and enthusiastic people with little or lots of time to spare who can help them make their grounds and garden a welcoming place for our visitors. Whether it’s helping with a variety of tasks like weeding, pruning, labelling, planting, lifting, watering and potting, there’s plenty to do that suits all levels and interests. You’ll develop an understanding of the history of Erasmus Darwin House and the importance of its Herb garden. You’ll develop knowledge of herbs and plants as well as an understanding of their relevance and use in the past and today. You’ll be able to work safely and as part of a friendly team. You’ll get the opportunity to share your knowledge with the public through tours and demonstrations. You’ll need to have an interest in the outdoors, some experience in horticulture would be useful but not essential. You’ll need to be flexible and adaptable with an ability to assist on your own initiative. You’ll get to be a part of Lichfield’s top 5 most popular heritage venues and you’ll be supporting us in maintaining a stunning historic building. Erasmus Darwin House is a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse and its secluded herb garden is an essential part of the Museum’s story.
Attributes:
- Interest in historic environments
- Passion for the outdoors
- Ability to independently and as part of a team
- Keen to engage walkers/passerbys/visitors
Practical considerations:
- All new volunteers are encouraged to take part in an induction training session as well as ongoing opportunities for learning and development as appropriate
- The garden team tend to gather on a Thursday afternoon for social gardening, although volunteers are welcome to maintain the garden at any time throughout the week
- The Museum is unable to give expenses except in exceptional circumstances, however it is committed to seeking a situation where resources permit the reimbursement of expenses
For more information please contact Marie Burbage:-
Tel: 01543 306260
Email: enquiries@erasmusdarwin.org
Events Assistant, Erasmus Darwin House
Whether you like to work front of house or in a supporting role, joining the Erasmus Darwin House Events Team offers opportunities to help with events, weddings, corporate room bookings and offsite activities. You will help with room set up, greeting guests, serving refreshments or promoting our services locally at fairs and festivals. You will be the friendly and professional face of the museum and will need to be approachable, dynamic and helpful. You’ll need to be able to work as part of a team, be flexible and adaptable, with an ability to use your own initiative. You will play a part in making an event successful, improve your interpersonal skills as well as grow in confidence and in commercial awareness.
Attributes:
- Ability to be proactive
- Interest in events management and tourism
- Willingness to work evenings or weekends
- Enjoy being part of a team
- Honesty
- Keen to engage with the public
- Practical considerations
All new volunteers are expected to take part in an induction and refresher training sessions as well as ongoing opportunities for learning and development as appropriate
For more information please contact Marie Burbage:-
Tel: 01543 306260
Email: enquiries@erasmusdarwin.org
Education Support Assistant, Erasmus Darwin House
Education Support Assistant
Erasmus Darwin House, Lichfield
You’ll play a vital role in bringing our Museum to life for children and young adults. You’ll have a passion for working with school groups and families. You’ll need to be flexible and adaptable in your approach with an ability to engage children of all ages and be able to contribute to a team. This will be an opportunity for you to be creative as there are opportunities to develop educational workshops and craft activities throughout the year. You’ll be part of a small, friendly and valuable team who plan and deliver hands-on and fun sessions for schools throughout term time. They’re looking for committed and enthusiastic people with little or lots of time to spare who can help us share the fascinating story of Erasmus Darwin during term time. You’ll also get to take part in new experiences, improve your communication skills, grow in confidence and learn new things. There are also temporary projects that you could be involved in like developing activities relating to exhibitions or specific collections.
Attributes:
- Passion for working with children
- Interest in school curriculum
- Enjoy being part of a team
- Honesty
- Keen to learn/engage with the public
Practical considerations:
- Education sessions are delivered during term time
- Opportunities to deliver activities during school holidays
- All new volunteers are encouraged to take part in an induction training session as well as ongoing opportunities for learning and development as appropriate
- The Museum is unable to give expenses except in exceptional circumstances, however it is committed to seeking a situation where resources permit the reimbursement of expenses
For more information please contact Marie Burbage:-
Tel: 01543 306260
Email: enquiries@erasmusdarwin.org
