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Volunteer Organiser, Leominster Museum

PURPOSE OF VOLUNTEER ROLE

To make visitors and volunteers feel welcome and comfortable in Leominster Museum
To co-ordinate and support the Museum’s desk volunteers
To provide inspiration to the team

MAIN ACTIVITIES/TASKS

Recruit new desk volunteers as needed
With the input of trustees if necessary, assess new volunteers to find out their skills, experience & needs, and match them to the Museum’s needs
Arrange (and update) rota for desk volunteers and ensure smooth operation of cover arrangements for any absences
Carry out induction, and periodic refresher training, of desk volunteers
Arrange regular cleaning
Attend Museum trustees’ meetings to ensure good communication between desk volunteers and the trustees.
Assist Museum trustees as needed with review and updating of volunteering policy and volunteering agreement
Review and update reception handbook at least once a year and ensure stocks of forms are replenished when needed

SKILLS/INTERESTS NEEDED

Readiness to gain experience by taking their own shift on the Museum reception desk
Good communication/listening skills
Good basic computer skills
An enthusiastic manner
Ability to work in a team, and to recognise and refer onwards any issues of wider importance
Proven ability to make responsible, well organised and recorded decision making
Management experience, if possible
Willingness to learn

TRAINING OFFERED

Training will be offered informally in house by past volunteer organisers and Museum trustees. External training may also be available.

TIME COMMITMENT

2-3 hours per week on average during the Museum’s opening season, over and above any time spent on the reception desk.

Volunteers, The Lace Guild Museum

The Lace Guild Museum is a small independent accredited Museum run entirely by volunteers, housed in a detached Edwardian building in the heart of the Stourbridge Glass Quarter.

It is a specialist museum with a large collection of lace and lace related artefacts. The Museum collects both antique and contemporary lace. The Lace Guild CIO, a membership organisation and registered Education Charity, was founded nearly 50 years ago to encourage the up take and further knowledge about this fascinating heritage craft.

Volunteers are needed across the range of their activities. Knowledge of lace and lacemaking is not essential, but an interest in textiles helps. The Lace Guild Museum need volunteers across a range of activities including meeting and greeting visitors to the building, helping other volunteers with the museum, library and archive, photographing the collection and archive, light gardening duties to keep the small garden neat and tidy as well as helping with the sales of donated second hand items and publications.

Tour Guide, Newman Brothers at the Coffin Works

Are you confident and passionate about Birmingham’s social and industrial history? Would you love to tell stories about the Coffin Works building and collections and engage actively with visitors? If so, this role is definitely for you, as you will be at the heart of their offer keeping the building and its contents alive. There is also the opportunity to operate machinery for demonstration purposes, for those confident to do so (full training is provided!).

The museum is open Wednesday – Sunday. There are two shifts each day; 11am-4pm or 12pm – 3pm.

To help Newman Brothers operate fully, it is ideal if volunteers can commit to 1 shift per week but they understand the need for flexibility!

Front of House Retail Assistant, Newman Brothers at the Coffin Works

As a Front of House Retail Assistant, you will make those all-important first impressions as you greet visitors, issue tickets, answer telephone and email enquiries, and deal with sales in the shop. If you’re a friendly person and feel confident dealing with cash and general enquiries, then this role is for you.

The museum is open Wednesday – Sunday. Each shift lasts four hours; 10.30-2.30pm or 12.15 – 4.15pm.

To help Newman Brothers operate fully, it is ideal if volunteers can commit to 1 shift per week but they understand the need for flexibility!

Museum Stewards, Tudor House Museum

Tudor House Museum has been run almost entirely by volunteers since 2004 when the Worcester Heritage & Amenity Trust took over the running of the museum from the city council. It is a beautiful 16th Century building, once three weaver’s cottages, that now interprets the history of the house and the city for visitors. Based in one of the city’s oldest streets, it has won awards for excellent customer service standards.

They are looking for Museum stewards to welcome visitors at the gate, help them explore the building, discovering the histories and stories within. You will need to be customer focused, outgoing, diligent with research (supporting materials are provided), able to interact with a diverse audience and have an enthusiasm for delivering history.

There are opportunities to undertake research into areas that interest you most, with a view to expanding this into an exhibition; to get involved with collection care and education days; help with events and develop your own.

They don’t insist that their volunteers wear period costume, but it is available if you would like to!

All volunteers are supported by the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Museum Manager and rest of their friendly volunteer team. There are training and social opportunities for all volunteers. They very much encourage volunteers to make the role their own.

As Tudor House Museum moves into its next stage of development and expansion, this is a really exciting time to get involved.

Museum Guide, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum (Royal Warwickshire)

Museum Guide

Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum (Royal Warwickshire), Warwick

The museum are seeking a volunteer to help front-of-house. The volunteer Museum Guide is at the heart of the museum on the first floor. They can make all the difference in ensuring an enjoyable and memorable visitor experience.

What you can expect from the museum:

Invaluable general museum experience, ideal for a future career in the field
Scope to develop good customer service skills
The opportunity to learn how to research historical enquiries
Induction and in-house training. Possible relevant external training
Support from museum staff
Basic travel expenses

What the role entails:

Playing a front-of house role, welcoming visitors to the museum
Helping answer enquiries from visitors
Selling items from the shop and helping with the invigilation of the galleries

This role will suit people who:

Are friendly and outgoing, with good communication skills
Flexible and willing to develop new skills
Have an interest in history, museums and the heritage sector
Enjoys being part of a small friendly team

Miscellaneous:

Hours of volunteering to be agreed, but usually half or a full day when required. The museum core days are Tuesday to Saturday.
Please contact the museum for an informal discussion or an application form.

To find out more contact Stephanie Bennett:-
Email: rrfmuseum@hotmail.co.uk

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

Volunteer Organiser, Leominster Museum