Volunteer at Salisbury Museum

Become a part of our dedicated team of volunteers working in varied roles at Salisbury Museum. Through volunteering at Salisbury Museum you can:  Learn new skills  Work as part of a friendly team  Be a part of your community  Meet new people  Boost your career options  Gain free entry into the museum and 10% discount in the shop

Volunteer roles at The Salisbury Museum include:

Admin Volunteer You will provide invaluable support with a wide variety of administrative duties covering marketing, fundraising and volunteering. Work could include updating databases, mail outs and filing. [See full Role Description p4]

Collections Volunteer You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers helping to conserve and care for the diverse collections which include archaeology, social history, art, costume, and glass and ceramics. Projects include documenting and care of collections, photographing artefacts, editing images, and updating the collections database. We would particularly like to hear from you if you have expertise in costume or ceramics and glass. [See full Role Description p5]

Engagement Volunteer You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers enhancing the visitor experience of Salisbury Museum. You will welcome visitors and help them engage with the collections and exhibitions. Engagement Volunteers either work within the temporary exhibitions or across the entire museum, in galleries covering diverse collections from costume and ceramics to our brand new internationally important Wessex Gallery of archaeology. Engagement Volunteers also help to protect the collections by being vigilant with regard to safety and security. [See full Role Description p6]

Event Volunteer You will assist family audiences in engaging with the museum and its collections through our year long programme of events both at the museum and across Wiltshire. Events at the museum include craft making, storytelling, drama and music. Events outside of the museum involve running a stall with promotional material, object handling, and ‘make-and-take’ activities for children. You will also possibly get involved with wider museum marketing such as leaflet and poster distribution. [See full Role Description p7-8]

1 Exhibitions Volunteer This is a hands-on role to assist with the turnaround of our temporary exhibitions. It primarily involves painting and preparing the walls of the exhibition gallery before the next exhibition is installed. This role could also include hanging artworks, mounting labels, exhibition research and administration. [See full Role Description p9]

Garden Volunteer You will help to maintain and improve the surroundings of the museum’s Grade I listed building, situated in the Cathedral Close. As part of a small team you will assist with the planting and weeding of beds at the front and back of the museum, and planning of future improvements to the gardens. [See full Role Description p10]

Learning Volunteer You will be part of our thriving learning department supporting and leading outreach and school visits (KS1-4) on the Normans, Saxons, Romans and Stonehenge People. You can also assist with other learning events such as Living History Fortnight and our monthly Under Five’s Friday event. [See full Role Description p11]

Portable Antiquities Scheme Volunteer You will be part of small team of dedicated volunteers helping to record archaeological objects found by the public, in order to advance archaeological knowledge and to increase opportunities for active public involvement in archaeology. It will involve artefact identification and recording, as well as photography of archaeological finds and image manipulation. [See full Role Description p12]

Stitchers You will be part of a team of volunteers creating replica historical costumes for the museum to use as a teaching resource for schools. If you love sewing and being creative this could be the ideal role for you. [See full Role Description p13]

Visitor Service Volunteer You will be part of our friendly visitor services team, working in a busy retail environment and helping to deliver a high standard of customer service. This is a busy but essential role including welcoming visitors into the museum, selling tickets, and working on the till. [See full Role Description p14-15]

Other volunteering opportunities If you have other skills that you would like to offer that aren’t covered by the roles listed above, then do let us know.

2 What next We would love to hear from you now if you think any of these roles would interest you or if you have other skills that you can offer. We are flexible with the time you can commit and will provide full training and support.

Please read the following full role description for the different volunteer roles. Then complete a Volunteer Application Form and Volunteer Monitor Form and return to Bridget Telfer, the Volunteer Co-ordinator (these can be downloaded from the museum website: www.salisburymuseum.org.uk/support-us/volunteer or can be requested from Bridget Telfer). Bridget will then be in touch about the next steps.

Contact details Bridget Telfer, Volunteer Co-ordinator Email: [email protected] Phone: 01722 332151 (in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and every other Thursday). The Salisbury Museum The King’s House 65 The Close Salisbury SP1 2EN www.salisburymuseum.org.uk

3 Volunteer Role Description – Admin Volunteer

Title of role Admin Volunteer

Purpose of You will provide invaluable support with a wide variety of administrative role duties covering marketing, fundraising and volunteering.

Availability of This role is very popular and can become full up. Your name can then be role added to a waiting list.

Main Tasks could include: activities/  Assisting with evaluation tasks  Conducting research on different areas of marketing, fundraising and volunteering  Filing  Overseeing mailouts  Updating databases

Skills/  Attention to detail interests  Methodical working manner needed  Computer skills  Ability to follow guidelines and respond to constructive criticism  Reliability  A friendly nature  An interest in the museum and willingness to learn about it  Ability to work on your own or as part of a team

Training Training will include the following: offered  Tour of the museum  Comprehensive Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure and responsibilities of volunteers  Role specific training

Time Ideally 2.5 hours weekly either morning or afternoon. We would welcome commitment an initial commitment of 6 months. requested There will be a trial period of 4 months to ensure that this is the right role for you.

4 Volunteer Role Description – Collections Volunteer

Title of role Collections Volunteer

Purpose of You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers helping role to conserve and care for the diverse collections of Salisbury Museum.

Availability of This role is very popular and can become full up. Your name can then be role added to a waiting list.

Main Tasks could include: activities/  Accurately document the location and nature of the artefacts in tasks the museum collection stores  Provide accurate measurements of objects as required  Handle museum objects in a careful and considered manner  Enhance the collections database Modes  Improve the existing collections storage  Photograph artefacts in the museum’s collections and edit images to be uploaded onto the museum website  Additional research on objects as and when required

Skills/  Attention to detail interests  Methodical working manner needed  Computer skills (if role involves working on the collections database or editing photographs)  Reliability  A friendly nature  A reasonable level of physical dexterity  Ability to follow guidelines and respond to constructive criticism  An interest in the museum collections and willingness to learn about them  Ability to work on your own or as part of a team

5 Volunteer Role Description – Engagement Volunteer

Title of role Engagement Volunteer

Purpose of You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers enhancing the visitor role experience of Salisbury Museum.

Availability of We are usually able to accommodate new Engagement Volunteers. role However, volunteers may need to be flexible with the shift time that they would like.

Main  Welcome visitors into the museum activities/  To be friendly and informative tasks  Engage with visitors and answer questions about the exhibits (add an extra layer of information to the visitor experience)  Direct visitors around the rest of the museum space  To assist visitors including families and children with museum interactives  To maintain a level of tidiness and order around the museum  To assist with the flow of visitors (particularly in busy periods) through the museum  To be vigilant at all times with regard to safety and security with the collection and visitors  To understand and comply with the fire evacuation procedure  To undertake visitor surveys on behalf of the museum

Skills/  An interest in Salisbury Museum and its collections and exhibitions interests (and a willingness to learn about this) needed  Enjoyment of working with the public  Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences  Polite and approachable  Reliability  A friendly nature  A reasonable level of physical dexterity (NB this role will involve standing for periods of time and walking around the museum and includes going up and down stairs).

Training Training will include the following: offered  Tour of the museum  Comprehensive Induction process including the responsibilities of volunteers  Role specific training which includes Fire and Security Training  Regular Briefings on exhibitions  Visitor Services training  Accessibility training

Time A regular weekly or fortnightly shift of 1.5 hours. commitment requested There will be a trial period of 4 months to ensure that this is the right role for you.

6 Volunteer Role Description – Event Volunteer

Title of role Event Volunteer

Purpose of role You will assist audiences in engaging with the museum and its collections through our year long programme of events both at the museum and across Wiltshire. You will also possibly get involved with wider museum marketing such as leaflet and poster distribution.

Availability of role We are usually able to accommodate new Event Volunteers.

Main activities/ tasks To support our programme of family events throughout the year delivered at the museum – this includes the Festival of Archaeology weekend and family fun Discovery Days during school holidays. Events can include craft activities, storytelling, drama and music. Main duties will include:  Setting up the event space  Supporting families in the activity  Keeping the event space clean and tidy throughout the day and the equipment well stocked  Possibly documenting the event through photography  Possibly carrying out evaluation of the event  Clearing up the event space at the end of the day

To support our programme of outreach events – which could include attending the Chalke Valley History Festival and other historical events. Main duties will include:  Helping to manage a stall with promotional material  Assisting with the set-up and take down of the stall  Interacting with the general public to promote the museum  Engaging the general public with artefacts from the collection  Interacting with family groups through quizzes and ‘make-and-take’ activities

To support museum marketing:  Assisting with leaflet and poster distribution at events and around Salisbury to publicise the museum

Skills/ interests needed  Experience and enjoyment of working with children and families  Enjoyment of family events such as craft activities, storytelling, drama and music  Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences (e.g. children of different ages and abilities; parents and carers)  Ability or willingness to learn about Salisbury Museum, its collections and building  Reliability and a friendly nature  A reasonable level of physical dexterity (NB this role will involve standing and carrying

7 material for setting up sessions or stalls) Training offered Training will include the following:  Tour of the Museum  Comprehensive Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure and responsibilities of volunteers  Event specific training will be given by the member of staff or artist leading the session

DBS check and As this role involves working with families we will undertake references a DBS check and take up references.

Time commitment We are flexible with the time that volunteers can commit for requested this role. You will be added to a list of Event Volunteers and will be emailed when an event is approaching to see if you are available to help.

We would however ideally welcome an initial commitment of 6 months.

There will be a trial period of 4 months to ensure that this is the right role for you.

8 Volunteer Role Description – Exhibitions Volunteer

Title of role Exhibitions Volunteer

Purpose of role You will assist the Exhibitions Officer with the turnaround of our temporary exhibitions.

Availability of role We are usually able to accommodate new Exhibition Volunteers.

Main activities/ tasks  It primarily involves painting and preparing the walls of the exhibition gallery before the next exhibition is installed  The role could also include hanging artworks, mounting labels, exhibition research and administration

Skills/ interests needed  Ability to use a paintbrush and roller for painting  Good attention to detail and production of high quality work  Careful, diligent attitude around museum artefacts  Ability to follow guidelines  Reliability  A friendly nature  Physically able

Training offered Training will include the following:  Tour of the museum  Comprehensive Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure and responsibilities of volunteers  Role specific training

Time commitment We are flexible with the time that volunteers can commit for requested this role. You will be added to a list of Exhibition Volunteers and will be emailed when an exhibition changeover is approaching to see if you are available to help.

We would however ideally welcome an initial commitment of 6 months.

There will be a trial period of 4 months to ensure that this is the right role for you.

9 Volunteer Role Description – Garden Volunteer

Title of role Garden Volunteer

Purpose of You will help to maintain and improve the surroundings of the museum’s role Grade I listed building, situated in the Cathedral Close.

Availability of We are usually able to accommodate new Garden Volunteers. role

Main Tasks could include: activities/  Planting tasks  Pruning  Weeding  Planning of future improvements to the gardens

Skills/  Gardening knowledge and experience desirable, but not essential interests  An interest in gardening needed  Reliability  A friendly nature  Ability to work on your own or as part of a team  Physically able

Time We are flexible with the time that volunteers can commit for this role. commitment We would welcome an initial commitment of 6 months. requested There will be a trial period of 4 months to ensure that this is the right role for you.

10 Volunteer Role Description – Learning Volunteer

Title of role Learning Volunteer

Purpose of role You will be part of our thriving learning department helping diverse audiences (children of all ages, families, special needs groups and adult groups) engage with the museum and its collections through formal and informal learning.

Availability of role This role is popular and can become full up. Your name can then be added to a waiting list. Main activities/ tasks Tasks could include:  To support school sessions (KS1-4) on the Normans, Saxons, Romans, Stonehenge People and Mini Museums  To help deliver educational sessions for elderly or special needs groups  To assist with our Living History fortnight for schools  To assist with our monthly Under Five’s Friday event – craft sessions for pre-schoolers

Skills/ interests needed  Experience of working with children, particularly in an educational role  Enjoyment of working with diverse audiences (e.g. children, families, adults, special needs groups)  A knowledge of archaeology or history  Ability or willingness to learn about Salisbury Museum, its collections and building  Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences (e.g. children of different ages and abilities)  Reliability and a friendly nature  A reasonable level of physical dexterity (NB this role will involve standing and carrying educational material for setting up sessions)

DBS check and As this role involves working with children we will undertake references a DBS check and take up references.

Time commitment We are flexible with the time that volunteers can commit for requested this role. You will be added to a list of Learning Volunteers and will be emailed when a school booking/ event is approaching to see if you are available to help. We would however ideally welcome an initial commitment of 6 months.

There will be a trial period of 4 months to ensure that this is

11 the right role for you. Volunteer Role Description – Portable Antiquities Scheme Volunteer

Title of role Portable Antiquities Scheme Volunteer

Purpose of You will be part of small team of dedicated volunteers helping to record role archaeological objects found by the public, in order to advance archaeological knowledge and to increase opportunities for active public involvement in archaeology.

Availability of This role is very popular and can become full up. Your name can then be role added to a waiting list.

Main Tasks could include: activities/  Artefact identification and recording tasks  Photography of archaeological finds  Image manipulation

Skills/  A degree in archaeology would be an advantage but is not interests essential needed  Enthusiastic and keen to gain experience in this area  Interested in developing a knowledge of finds identification  A high level of PC literacy, in particular a sound working knowledge of databases  Experience with Adobe photoshop would be an advantage but is not essential  Have a keen eye for detail and accuracy  Reliable and trustworthy  Able to work without supervision

Time Ideally 1 day a week. We would welcome an initial commitment of 6 commitment months. requested There will be a trial period of 6 sessions to ensure that this is the right role for you.

12 Volunteer Role Description – Stitchers Volunteer

Title of role Stitchers Volunteer

Purpose of You will be part of a team of volunteers creating replica historical role costumes for the museum to use as a teaching resource for schools. If you love sewing and being creative this could be the ideal role for you.

Availability of We are usually able to accommodate new Stitchers. role

Main Tasks could include: activities/  Creating replica costumes tasks  Researching how to make different items and creating patterns  Sourcing material Tasks are discussed and allocated at group meetings, and fabrics are supplied.

Skills/  A competent seamstress interests  Ability to follow a pattern needed  Interest in creating historical replica costumes  Ability to produce high quality work  Reliable  Able to work without supervision

Time We are flexible with the time that volunteers can commit for this role. commitment Volunteers usually carry out the work in their own time and in their own requested premises. The small team of Stitchers meet up about every 4-6 weeks.

13 Volunteer Role Description – Visitor Service Volunteer

Title of role Visitor Service Volunteer

Purpose of role You will be part of our friendly visitor service team, working in a busy retail environment, interfacing with the public and helping to deliver a high standard of customer service.

Availability of role This role is popular and can become full up. Your name can then be added to a waiting list.

Main activities/ tasks The role will involve, some or all of the below activities:  Welcoming visitors into the museum in a friendly and informative way  Working with the Visitor Service staff in managing visitors entering the museum  Helping with purchases including entry tickets  Informing visitors about the museum collections, exhibitions and events  Working with the Visitor Service Staff to keep all areas, clean and well stocked  Working on an electronic till (till training will be given)  To work as part of team on a rota

Skills/ interests  Interest in Salisbury Museum and ensuring that the needed visitor experience is positive  Good communication skills with different visitors and staff  The ability to be confident, calm and cheerful when dealing with the public  Enjoyment of working within a busy team  Computer skills  Reliability and commitment to the team

Training offered Full training will be provided for the role and on-going support offered. A member of the Visitor Service Staff will be present at all times. Training will offered in the following:  Tour of the museum  Comprehensive Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure and responsibilities of volunteers  Understanding the ticket offer and the importance of gift aid to the museum. Be able to explain this to visitors if asked  Understanding the role of Visitor Service staff and how to support them  Till training  Regular Briefings on exhibitions  Visitor Services training  Accessibility training

References As this role involves working with money we will take up references.

14 Time commitment Visitor Service Volunteers will work in shifts of 3.5 hours in requested duration. From Monday - Friday the shifts will be from 10.00am-1.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm.

A regular weekly or fortnightly shift is required to ensure skills are maintained. There will be a trial period of 4 months to ensure that this is the right role for you.