Museum volunteers volunteer roles

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information, and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents, and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Weekend Clubs
10.00am to 1.30pm and/or 1:30pm to 6.00pm, monthly, Saturdays during term time.

We are currently looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers, to join us on our fantastic fun-filled Weekend club activities.

Volunteers and our members who have disabilities get to know each other as they take part in fun and challenging workshops including sports & games, arts & crafts, cooking and enjoying a day out in London once a term.

What you'll do
On the club you and a fellow volunteer will be paired with one of our members with a learning disability or autism. You'll support and encourage them to take part in a wide range of activities led by professional therapists and workshop leaders.

Our aim at a Kith & Kids’ club is that everybody has lots of fun in an environment in which our members feel safe and relaxed and can fully express themselves.  We aim that our members receive 2:1 volunteer support.  This helps ensure that the sessions have lots of energy and enthusiasm.  It also gives new volunteers a chance to learn further support tips from experienced volunteers. 

Our Weekend Clubs also allow our members to develop key skills and relationships in a fun, friendly and safe setting that is individually centred on their needs.

Workshops include music, drama, arts & crafts, sports & games and much more.  We even enjoy trips out!  Recently groups have attended swimming, museums, crazy golf, and bowling.

Not only is it a session full of fun and games for you and our members, but you are also a vital part in supporting them to develop their social skills in a day-to-day environment.

Come along and get involved!

Male volunteers especially welcome (we need more)!!

Requirements

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 18.

How much time?
The clubs run Sat monthly, 10.00am to 1.30pm and/or 1:30pm to 6.00pm, in term time only.

The more clubs you do, the more you'll build close relationships with the members you'll be supporting and will create the most impact.

What we can offer you
We can reimburse your travel expenses.
We'll also provide excellent training before the project, and lots of helpful support.

By volunteering on our clubs, you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others
• Increase your confidence
• Meet new people and make friends
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time
• Challenge yourself
   

What about training?
Volunteers must attend training and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Communication
• Autism
• Supporting emotions
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Epilepsy
   

When do I need to come?

Volunteers must attend training and complete a free DBS check before taking part.

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London starting in mid-May with lots of other dates to choose from.

In the meantime, we'll be meeting volunteers online.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details.

VOLUNTARY (UNPAID)

We operate two small, World War 2 Heritage Centres; one in Dunkeswell and one Near Upottery (Smeatharpe) in Devon.

Ideally we are looking for local, friendly and approachable people with some spare time, to work as one of a pair, particularly on a Sunday and maybe other days as holiday relief or in case of sickness. Our usual opening times are: Thursday to Sunday, 1100 to 1600. The start of our season is Good Friday and it ends on the last Sunday in October.

An interest in history would be an advantage to you (especially WW2) but you would be surrounded by the history of that Heritage Centre in text and pictures so it is immediately accessible and easy to point visitors towards.  You would work with an experienced person and would have training and briefings first.

If you find this appealing please do contact us and we can get Brian to have an informal chat with you about the role.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS FROM OUTSIDE THE UK AS WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES OR FACILITIES TO DO SO.

Our House Experience Volunteers add the sparkle to any visit – giving everyone a warm welcome, bringing stories from Ickworth to life and helping people get the best out of their day. 

 This role will suit you if you are:

• Warm and friendly.
• Someone with a curious and inquisitive nature, with an ability to engage our visitors, ask questions and facilitate conversations.
• Able to listen thoughtfully and actively.
• Someone with exceptional customer service standards- a desire to put visitors before everything else.
• A good storyteller, with a talent for reading body language and thinking on your feet
• Sensitive to visitor and volunteer needs – working as an effective team member.
• Willing to develop your knowledge of Ickworth, its history and vast collections.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Responding to the diverse needs of visitors, including people with additional access needs.
• Sharing inspirational stories, curious facts and practical information or simply the space for visitors to wander at their own pace.
• Helping visitors to discover more, answering questions and making suggestions so they can enjoy their day, their way.
• Being an ambassador for the whole property and the National Trust. Helping visitors understand the full scope of the offer at Ickworth beyond the house.
• Learning more about Ickworth, so you can share your knowledge and stories of the family and their collections with visitors.
• Responding to the changing needs of Ickworth – supporting ongoing interpretation strategies in the House.
• Supporting with health and safety and evacuation procedures if required.
• Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities or changes to government guidelines 

 By getting involved you could· 

• Become part of a friendly and dedicated team.
  Spend time with us at Ickworth, learn about its history, stories and enjoy its beauty.
• Meet people from all walks of life
• Find an opportunity to use your existing skills and develop new ones.
  Improve your communication skills.
  Get a warm glow by knowing you have made a difference to someone’s day out with us.

 You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, for ever.

All National Trust volunteers will be asked to

• Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us.
• Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
• Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity. 

 We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:

• Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely
• Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
• Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website 

Skills acquired: Adaptability, Communication Skills, Community Development, Customer Service, Event Support, Exhibition Arts, Fundraising, Interpersonal Skills, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Teamwork, Visual Arts

Based in the Reception of the Main Gallery, you will be the first point of contact for visitors to the Gallery, giving a warm welcome, assisting with enquiries and ensuring a high-quality visitor experience. You will also support the day to day running of the Gallery, dealing with administrative duties and supporting the Gallery Shop, sharing product information with visitors and taking sales.  

Tasks and Responsibilities  

• Welcoming and engaging visitors, providing information about the gallery and programmes  

• Responding to telephone, email and face to face enquiries  

• Being a visible presence in the Gallery space, ensuring everyone’s safety and the security of artwork and our retail space 

• Guiding visitors around the gallery and wider site 

• Assisting with sales and shop displays, including cash handling 

• Maintaining a neat and tidy reception and retail area  

• Supporting our retail work, with stocktaking, pricing and other tasks 

• Monitoring visitor numbers and contributing to evaluation initiatives  

• Representing the Gallery and Richmond Arts Service  

What we hope you will get from the role 

• The opportunity to meet new people and engage with the local community 

• Improved and demonstrable administration and communication skills 

• Valuable insight and experience of a contemporary art gallery, crossing the arts, cultural and heritage sectors 

• An understanding of the breadth of arts activity offered by Richmond Arts Service 

Training and Support  

We will provide training and an induction which covers all aspects of the role. On-going support and supervision will be provided by staff throughout your time with us. Additionally, there are regular training sessions to supplement and further your initial training, as well as a varied programme of volunteer events and activities to join in, meet people and learn something new! 

Desirable qualities and experience  

• Enthusiasm for meeting and engaging with people and sharing information 

• Interest for contemporary art, local history and/or heritage  

• Able to answer enquiries in a friendly and helpful manner  

• Willingness to learn, particularly administrative skills 

• Enjoys being part of a team  

• Ability to complete tasks independently 

• Good time keeping  

Availability  

The gallery is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, with two volunteer shifts a day, 10am – 1pm and 1pm – 5pm.   

We ask for a minimum commitment of one shift every fortnight, although there is flexibility over scheduling.   

Location  

This role is based at Orleans House Gallery in the Main Gallery building.

Expenses  

We will cover travel expenses up to £14 per day.   

How to Apply  

Please complete our application form through our website.

Our Volunteers Co-ordinator will then contact you for an introductory chat, to learn more about your interest in volunteering and discuss the role further.   

Background  

Richmond Arts Service is based at Orleans House Gallery on the Riverside in Twickenham, promoting arts and culture through a programme of contemporary art exhibitions, festivals, events and activities for everyone in the community.   

We foster creativity and enjoyment of the arts, enable people to reflect on their lives and develop new ways of seeing the world. We bring thought-provoking art to the Borough and cultivate a network of individuals, organisations and programmes that nourishes the arts, local organisations and communities.

Home to the Richmond Borough Art Collection, comprising of over 4,400 artworks, at a site with a rich 300+ year history, Orleans House Gallery works with local, national and international artists and community partners to engage with the community, as we have done since 1972.   

​We hold new volunteer inductions at the start of each term, so apply ASAP to be in time to join our next induction.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants in Lewisham. At the Rainbow Club supplementary school we aim to help children between the ages of 4 and 11 to improve their literacy, numeracy and social skills in a friendly and supportive environment.  We need your skills and enthusiasm to assist the teacher in the delivery of a literacy and numeracy class and work with other volunteers to develop a programme of recreational activities. The Rainbow Club runs on Saturday mornings during term-time.

Your duties will include:

• Arriving punctually for the 9am briefing by the Rainbow Club Headteacher;
• Working in a team with other volunteers and teachers to deliver literacy, numeracy, arts, sport activities – this includes ensuring children remain engaged throughout the lesson and carry out set tasks as instructed by the teacher;
• Working one-to-one with specific children if and when required;
• Filing classroom work and homework in children’s individual files and keeping all materials and resources tidy and properly stored;
• Liaising with parents as and when required for example distributing leaflets and news about future meetings and events and also assisting with parents' day;
• Following the teacher’s policies on discipline and classroom management;
• Supervising the children during break times;
• Supporting the children during class trips;
• Ensuring classrooms are clean and tidy at the end of each day – this may include being part of a regular team rota;
• Providing feedback and comments to the Rainbow Club Headteacher when required.

HiDDEN are looking for an inspiring, forward-thinking Independent Chair to lead our growing network of heritage organisations into an exciting new chapter.

Job Description

HiDDEN is a dynamic and supportive network that champions Greater Manchester’s rare, overlooked, and underrepresented heritage. 

This voluntary leadership role is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a dynamic, mission-driven network that champions the hidden stories of Greater Manchester — stories that deserve to be uncovered, celebrated, and preserved. As Chair, you will bring strategic vision, support strong governance, and act as a key advocate for the network at both regional and national levels. You’ll play a vital role in steering our growth, deepening our impact, and ensuring that inclusion, integrity, and collaboration remain at the heart of everything we do. 

Key Responsibilities

• Governance and Oversight Ensure alignment with HiDDEN’s purpose, vision, and values.
• Oversee the adherence to the HiDDEN Code of Conduct.
• Facilitate the annual review of the members’ agreement and the Code of Practice.
• Meeting Facilitation Chair bi-monthly HiDDEN planning meetings, fostering inclusive and balanced discussions. Guide decision-making processes to achieve majority consensus in line with network objectives.
• Strategic Leadership Lead the development and refinement of HiDDEN’s strategic initiatives. Advocate for the network’s sustainability, identifying opportunities for growth and impact.
• Collaborate closely with Manchester Histories, the identified organisation for project management, to ensure effective implementation of strategies and initiatives.
• External Representation and Advocacy Represent HiDDEN at national and regional conferences, events, and within the heritage sector.
• Act as an ambassador for HiDDEN, promoting its mission and objectives to external stakeholders. Build and maintain relationships with key partners and funders.
• Conflict Resolution Mediate disputes within the network, ensuring fair and transparent resolutions.
• Provide impartial guidance and support to members to maintain positive relationships.
• Evaluation and Reporting Report on network activities and outcomes at planning meetings to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Lead the process for reviewing and adjusting network goals and strategies based on the needs of the network 

Person Specification

Experience: 

• You may have gained experience in leadership, governance, or planning through a variety of paths — including study, early career roles, volunteering, activism, or community engagement. 
• A background in the heritage, cultural, or nonprofit sectors is helpful but not essential.  We value lived experience and insight into the challenges and opportunities facing small or underrepresented organisations. 
• Skills and Attributes:  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to facilitate inclusive discussions and achieve consensus. 
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to act impartially and mediate conflicts. 
• Passion for heritage and a commitment to HiDDEN’s values of inclusivity, knowledge sharing, and environmental responsibility. 
• Commitment:  Willingness to commit 1-2 days per month, including participation in bi-monthly planning meetings. 
• Enthusiasm for working with a network of small to medium organisations to achieve shared goals.

About the Role

As a Volunteer Administrator, you’ll play a key role in supporting our Rapha Listening Service by conducting initial service user assessments, assisting in matching clients to volunteers, and ensuring accurate data management. This role is ideal for someone who is organised, empathetic, and looking to gain valuable experience in administration, community support, and mental health services.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct initial assessments of service users via telephone, virtual, or face-to-face meetings.
• Input and maintain session reports in our CRM system (Lamplight) for monitoring and safeguarding.
• Complete service user feedback forms for monitoring purposes
• Assist with admin tasks, including computer-based filing and documentation.
• Signpost service users to appropriate external services when needed.
• Participate in team support sessions and 1:1 supervision with your line manager.

What We Offer

• Full training in safeguarding, data protection, and mental health support.
• Certificates for courses completed to enhance your CV.
• Volunteer Time Credits—exchangeable for services and activities with our local/national partners.
• Free group access to selected museums.
• Professional references for future employment.
• A chance to develop valuable skills in admin, mental health, and community work.

What We’re Looking For

• Compassionate, non-judgmental, and a good listener.
• Strong computer and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
• A team player with a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Satisfactory DBS check (we can assist with this).
• Experience using Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Additional language skills to support diverse communities.

Independent Visitor Role Description
Purpose: To appoint a volunteer to visit, advise, and befriend a young person in the care of the Local Authority, providing contact with someone independent of their professional network.

Accountable to: Independent Visitors/Mentors and Peer Mentoring Coordinator

Main Tasks

• Visit a young person monthly and build a positive relationship as an adult friend.
• Encourage participation in activities for social, emotional, and educational development.
• Provide timely written reports on visits.
• Maintain contact with responsible adults for the young person.
• Ensure the young person’s views are heard.
• Ensure the young person knows their rights and is encouraged to participate in decisions.
• Promote the young person’s unique needs related to their race, culture, language, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation, challenging discrimination.
• Abide by the confidentiality policy and report any safeguarding concerns.
• Keep secure records of visits and significant events.
• Safely destroy documents once no longer part of the scheme.

RBKC Values and Behaviour

• Putting Communities First: Inclusive, quality service.
• Respect: Value personal experiences and a fair approach.
• Integrity: Open, honest, and responsible communication.
• Work Together: Collaborate for better community impact.

Personal Attributes, Skills, and Abilities
Attributes:

• Committed - Ideally, relationships should last at least two years.
• Resilient - Building trust takes time and patience.
• Consistent - Develop trust through consistency.

Skills:

• Sensitivity to young people's needs.
• Ability to build positive relationships.
• Initiative and time management.
• Ability to travel.

Equal Opportunities
Independent Visitors/Mentors are recruited from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We actively recruit male and female volunteers from all religious faiths and socio-economic backgrounds. Independent visitors/mentors with disabilities are also welcome to apply.

Volunteers are expected to adhere to RBKC’s policies on diversity, equal opportunities, and anti-discriminatory practice. Training provided includes equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices to ensure that all Independent Visitors/Mentors are knowledgeable and can apply these in their role.

The Independent Visitor/Mentors Role is a valuable one, and if you choose to apply and are accepted onto the scheme, you could be a positive influence in a young person’s life.

The Millennium Point Charitable Trust invests in projects, events and initiatives that support the growth of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) in Birmingham and across the West Midlands. With profits generated by the commercial activity at Millennium Point, a landmark public building and multi-award-winning venue in Birmingham city centre owned and operated by the Trust, over £40-million has now been re-invested into the region.

Our mission as a charitable trust is to advance education for the public benefit, with a particular focus on the industrial and technological processes that shape the modern world. This includes areas such as  Space Research, AI, Robotics, Life Sciences and to help the next generation to gain the qualifications and skills to equip them for whatever as-yet unknown career opportunities may present themselves. We are delighted to work with established partners including Birmingham City University and Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum in advancing our cause.

Millennium Point Trust are proud to support a wide range of students and young people through various activities, including providing bursaries, collaborating and partnering with relevant educational organisations that support development. More information on our work in this area can be found on the Millennium Point website.

The Trust is now seeking a Chair of the Board of Trustees for an initial term of three years. The Chair will provide strategic leadership to the Board, delivering its responsibilities of governance and oversight of the Trust. The Chair will guide and support the Chief Executive Officer in shaping and delivering the Trust’s strategic plan, and where necessary challenge them to ensure the Trust’s financial health and that all operational activities are aligned to its mission and values. 

The Chair of the Board will act as a spokesperson, ambassador and advocate of the Trust to enhance its public profile and develop relationships, embodying the Trust’s values and representing its interests in the wider community, with corporate partners, educational institutions, and funding bodies.  More information on our project and partners can be found here: Case Studies | Millennium Point

The Chair of the Board of Trustees will be required to possess:

• A strong and genuine passion and commitment to the Trust’s mission and values.
• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level, with a successful track record of achievement.
• Experience of governance in the charity sector, with experience at Board-level; either as a Board member or in a senior advisory role. 
• A broad knowledge and understanding of the not-for-profit sector, and the current issues effecting it. 
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity-specific finance issues. 
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to foster and promote a positive and collaborative team-working environment. 

For full details of the requirements of the role, please refer to the Job Description document.

The Chair of the Board of Trustees will be required to commit to 2 to 4 days each month, including attendance at quarterly Board meetings and an annual general meeting. The Chair may also be required to attend sub-committee meetings and other meetings or away-days as deemed necessary. 

This role is unremunerated; however, expenses will be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses. The Chair will serve an initial three-year term, renewable for one additional term.

If you are excited by the opportunity to offer strategic leadership and oversight to one of Birmingham’s prominent charitable Trusts, please click on 'How to Apply' for more details.

Join the Board of Trustees at Leicester Print Workshop

Leicester Print Workshop is seeking up to three committed individuals to join our Board of Trustees.

About Leicester Print Workshop

Leicester Print Workshop, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, offers high quality printmaking facilities and development opportunities for artists in the East Midlands and beyond. Its outreach activities in local schools and the community aim to increase participation in printmaking among people of all ages. The organisation is currently seeking trustees to help guide its strategic direction during an important phase of development. 

Key Skills Sought

To complement the skills of our existing trustees, we are seeking individuals with significant experience in philanthropic fundraising, financial management or development of online learning.  Previous experience as a trustee would be helpful, but training will be provided for those taking on their first board appointment.

Why Join Us?

·Play a vital role in shaping the future of a leading arts organisation.

·Collaborate with a passionate team dedicated to promoting the art of printmaking.

·Contribute your expertise to a respected and influential institution.

Commitment

These positions are unremunerated and require a commitment of up to 10 days per year.Appointments are for three years initially, renewable once.

Closing date 9th May 2025