Forest School Volunteer, Compton Verney

Forest school volunteers help the museum to deliver an outdoor schools programme that is an integral part of the museum’s childrens offer at Compton Verney. Working with the learning team, volunteers will support in the preparation, hosting and take down of children’s sessions in the outdoor forest school area. Full training will be provided, DBS check and safeguarding may be required, alongside additional hours during busy term time period.

Providing a warm friendly welcome to everyone, especially children of all ages and abilities.
Help to prepare resources and support the organisation and hosting of this activity programme. Including set up and take down.
Support hosting and take down for the forest school activity sessions, making sure this space is equipped and safe for everyone to learn and enjoy.
Help to maintain this space generally, specifically around the supervision of the campfire area.
Having a wider knowledge of the site and the learning opportunities, and helping promote when required.
Following and helping to enforce our policies and procedures to everyone at all times.
Being flexible to completing a wide range of tasks in all weather conditions.

Who we are looking for:

Someone who is enthusiastic about learning, arts and the outdoors.
A friendly, approachable and engaging person with good interpersonal skills, who enjoys engaging with children of all ages and abilities.
An individual who has an understanding for school learning and protocol, and is keen to learn about this and Compton Verney’s history and collection that forms the basis of learning activities.
A team player who is good at transferring information to a range of audiences, is creative and welcoming.

Environmental Engagement Volunteer, Compton Verney

Environmental engagement volunteers help Compton Verney to re-connect audiences with everything the environment and nature at Compton Verney can provide through helping to prepare and host the engaging event programme. Working closely with the Environmental Science Producer, you will help share this knowledge through assisting with event delivery in the grounds to people of all ages. Full training will be provided, additional out of hours opportunities will be available.

Responsibilities include:
• Providing a warm friendly welcome to everyone whilst helping to prepare and host an engaging and inclusive programme.
• Bringing events to life through helping everyone to get involved with the activity, enabling understanding and enjoyment of the event theme whilst providing wayfinding information.
• Support the grounds team in preparing the environment for events (specifically our forest school site)
• Preparing and checking materials for our Nature Explorer backpacks and our pond dipping area
• Keeping connected with the team by using radios effectively during events.
• Capturing and sharing digital content from the activity program and wildlife photography
• Having a wider knowledge of the site and helping promote when required.
• Following and helping to enforce our policies and procedures.
• Being flexible to completing a wide range of tasks and positively promoting Compton Verney.

Who the museum are looking for:
• Someone who is passionate about wildlife, the environment and nature and not afraid to get their hands dirty.
• A friendly, approachable and engaging person with good interpersonal skills, who enjoys talking to others about all things green.

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

Front of House Volunteer, Gordon Russell Design Museum

The Gordon Russell Design Museum is looking for new volunteers to join its friendly, supportive team. The Museum’s front of house volunteers welcome visitors, give them a short introduction to the Museum and process ticket sales and shop purchases.

Volunteers can be groups, organisations and individuals from any background who share their skills and passions through giving their time to the Museum. No experience of museums and galleries is necessary, and volunteers can join our team as individuals or with a friend or family member.

The Museum provides a full training and induction programme as well as an ongoing programme of training and support throughout the year.

Benefits include a 10% discount in the Museum shop, social events throughout the year, free tickets to talks and free membership of the Museum’s Friends scheme, which includes a full programme of events and activities. The Museum also reimburses volunteers’ travel expenses.

There is no minimum commitment, and the volunteering experience can be tailored to suit the needs and interests of each individual. Please contact us to find out more.

Contact Helen Hillman: helen@gordonrusselldesignmuseum.org

Pop Up Museum/Paint Your Own Pottery Volunteer Assistant, Museum of Royal Worcester

The Museum of Royal Worcester is an independent museum and charitable trust that cares for and connects people with the largest collection of Worcester porcelain in the world, together with our unique factory and design archive, in the place where it was made. They aim to inspire, surprise and delight people across the world with Worcester’s porcelain heritage, sharing this with future generations from the heart of Worcester.

The Museum is located in historic premises in Severn Street adjacent to the regenerated Royal Porcelain Works complex and minutes from the centre of Worcester and cathedral. They are on walking and cycle routes, and can be accessed by public transport.

The Pop-up Museum is a brightly coloured beautifully designed gazebo, which allows the museum to take creative heritage engagement activities out into local communities, such as shopping centres, schools, festivals, community centres and care homes. Museum of Royal Worcester also have a new ceramic studio for Paint-Your-Own-Pottery activities. They are a small friendly team of staff supported by around 25 volunteers who provide a warm welcome to a wide range of visitors, supporting group visits and experiences, admin and marketing support, behind the scenes research and delivery of their programme of events and creative workshops.

Role Purpose:

To support staff with creative heritage outreach and engagement activities via our new Pop-Up Museum, and Paint-Your-Own-Pottery(PYOP) hands-on activity. Assisting with the preparation and delivery of creative activities for families, adults and groups. Acting as an ambassador for the Museum, welcoming and engaging audiences with activities and our handling collection. Assisting with monitoring visitor numbers and surveys and providing administrative and practical support tasks. At times the role will support these activities off-site as part of Museum outreach and promotion, especially with the Pop-up Museum; PYOP is mainly delivered on-site in the Museum’s Ceramic Studio. This is a flexible role in terms of what you would like to take on and there is a flexible time commitment.

Main duties and responsibilities

With the support of Museum staff:

Greet and welcome visitors and public to the Pop Up Museum and PYOP events and activities, inviting and enabling them to take part, orienting them to activities, and facilities
Support the preparation, set up and take down of events and activities – setting up and tidying away of pop-up gazebo, chairs, tables and other creative equipment
Assist the set-up, running and tidying away of PYOP sessions, including restocking shelves and equipment, washing brushes and palettes, etc; under supervision glazing items, packing kiln, packing fired items for postage, etc
Assist with preparation of materials and delivery of hands-on outreach creative activities for families, adults and educational/social/community groups
Be an advocate for the Museum at on and off-site events, telling people more about its history, collections and visitor offer
Take payment using a mobile payment device for PYOP, refreshments, activities, retail items offered via the Pop-Up Museum
Support with preparation and serving light refreshments to PYOP customers in the Ceramic Studio
Accurately record numbers at events and engaged in activities, including PYOP customer data for order collection/postage

Useful skills and experience:

Experience of volunteering or working with people and providing customer service
Experience of supporting events or group activities
Interest in/experience of art and craft activities, art and/or ceramic techniques
Administrative or data entry experience

Personal qualities: This role would suit a friendly and approachable individual who enjoys meeting new people and trying new things. You will have good communication skills and enjoy working as part of a team. You will meet with a member of staff from the Museum to discuss elements of the role agreeing the aspects most suited to you. Enthusiasm for creative artistic and craft activities would support the delivery of this role.

Location: This role is based both at the Museum of Royal Worcester and, by prior arrangement, off-site as an ambassador at other locations and events

Commitment: This role is very flexible from a few hours occasionally to more frequent volunteering. Group visits are busier March to October but do take place across the year.

Term: It is an ongoing role

Reporting to: You will be managed by the Museum Director Sophie Heath with day-to-day supervision from Community Outreach and Engagement Officer.

Why Volunteer?

You will gain experience in working with the public and enabling a wide range of events and activities. There will be the opportunity to learn new skills. You will become part of a small, friendly team who are passionate about Worcester porcelain and engaging our visitors. There will be scope to learn and develop knowledge about areas of the collection or Museum’s work that you are interested in.

Training and Development: a full site induction will be provided and information to learn about the Museum and collections. Events and activities support training will be by guidance and shadowing of the staff team. Specific training on PYOP, Pop-Up creative and artistic activities, audience data gathering and working off-site etc will be provided as required, sometimes in-house and sometimes through external training providers.

If you are interested in this volunteer role or have any further questions about volunteering with us please get in touch:

Phone – 01905 21247

Email – info@museumofroyalworcester.org

Cafe Volunteers, Waterworks Museum Hereford

Primary Role – Cafe Volunteer

• This is a visitor facing role that would suit someone who enjoys engaging with the public and creating a friendly and welcoming environment.

Overview

• To be one of a team of volunteers led by the Café Manager who provide refreshments for visitors and volunteers.
• Vacancies for café staff exist for all occasions when the Museum is open to the public. This may be on a Tuesday and/or a on family open day/special event of which there are around 12 every year (on a Sunday or bank holiday). Volunteers may prefer to attend for all or part of an opening (minimum commitment 2 hours).

Responsibilities and Duties

• Preparing and serving hot and cold drinks
• Preparing and serving snacks
• Keeping the serving counter and kitchen preparation areas clean
• Cleaning and clearing away café tables.

Secondary

• By agreement, to assist in the museum shop and/or on the entrance desk.

Personal Qualities

• This would suit someone with a friendly personality, clear communication skills and a willingness to contribute to the overall visitor experience.

Knowledge and Experience

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is required – training for this will be funded by the museum.

Further information can be obtained from the following email address: volunteering@waterworksmuseum.org.uk

Welcomer and Guide Volunteer, Waterworks Museum Hereford

Primary Role – Welcomer

• This is a visitor facing role that would suit someone who enjoys engaging with the public and creating a friendly and welcoming environment.
Overview
• To act as the initial point of contact between visitors and the museum.
Responsibilities and Duties
• To meet and greet visitors to the museum and provide cover on the reception desk
• To answer any initial queries visitors might have about the museum and its collection.
• To direct visitors to the cafe, shop or entrance desk depending on their requirements.

Secondary roles (E.G, during busy periods or staff shortage)

• To act as a Museum guide (if this is an area of interest)

Personal Qualities

• This would suit someone with a friendly personality, clear communication skills and a willingness to contribute to the overall visitor experience.

Knowledge and Experience

• It is hoped that with training and time a good understanding of the museum and its collection will be obtained.

For more information, please contact volunteering@waterworksmuseum.org.uk

Volunteer Engineer, Waterworks Museum Hereford

Primary Role – Operating and Maintaining Engines and Pumps

This is a role that would suit someone who enjoys engineering and learning about how things work.

Overview

To be one of a team of volunteer engineers to work on restoring, maintaining and/or operating the Museum’s collection of engines and pumps.
Engineers work on all days when the Museum is open to the public. This may be on a Tuesday and/or on a family open day/special event of which there are around 20 every year (on a Sunday or bank holiday). The Museum is usually open 10am-4pm – Volunteer engineers may prefer to attend for all or part of an opening (minimum commitment 2 hours)

Typically, tasks might include:

Maintain, repair and/or operate the Museum’s engines and pumps
Contribute ideas about how to explain how and when the engines were originally used
Answer any queries visitors may have about the machines you are working on
Work as part of a team of engineers, sharing knowledge and ideas, and being aware of health and safety concerns

Knowledge and Experience

No prior engineering experience is needed, just an interest in learning. Training will be provided and in time, a good understanding of many of the museum’s exhibits will be obtained
There will be many opportunities for experienced engineers to apply their knowledge and skills to running and developing the Museum’s collection

Further information can be obtained from volunteering@waterworksmuseum.org.uk

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

• To provide a warm and friendly welcome to visitors and to be genuinely interested in helping them to enjoy their visit
• To develop an in-depth knowledge of the history of the Darby family of Dale House and Rosehill and the collections on display
• To share factually accurate information with visitors in an engaging way
• To be aware of and respond to the different learning and engagement styles of visitors
• To be aware of and respond to the different needs of all visitors, including those with disabilities
• To work collaboratively and flexibly with other IGMT staff and volunteers in the opening and presentation of the houses
• To be vigilant in protecting the houses and collections from theft or damage and to advise staff members on site if any issues arise
• To be familiar with the fire alarm and evacuation procedures and guide all visitors to exits from the building in the event of an emergency
• To ensure that standards of presentation are maintained on a daily basis
• To carry out any other duties that may be reasonably requested

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

Register to volunteer, Black Country Living Museum

About BCLM

Throughout its 44-year history, Black Country Living Museum’s aim has always been clear: Inspiring your discovery of the Black Country. It ensures that the revolutionary story of the Black Country’s industrial landscape – the first ever of its kind in the UK – is celebrated by generations.

With its bostin’ seasonal, themed and high profile events, as well as being regularly used for TV and Film locations, BCLM is one of Europe’s most successful open-air museums.

BCLM is currently embarking upon its largest development ever, with a multi-million pound investment bringing its story into the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

Based in the heart of the Black Country’s regeneration zone, BCLM is within good commutable distance from many of the surrounding counties.

About the roles

We have many volunteer opportunities across all different teams here at BCLM, that vary in skill level and interests.

About you

BCLM is interested to hear from candidates who are:
– Friendly and positive
– Eager to learn new things or develop existing skills
– Willing to share their knowledge with others
– Keen to help re-tell the story of the Black Country and our local heritage
– Empathetic towards the aims of BCLM

Begin your Black Country Journey

Submit an expression of interest online via the BCLM website. If BCLM has a role come up that they think you might be interested in, they will contact you with further information.