The British Museum
The British Museum is unique in bringing together under one roof the cultures of the world, spanning continents and oceans. No other museum is responsible for collections of the same depth and breadth, beauty and significance. More than 500 volunteers support the Museum throughout the year, in a variety of roles.Volunteers share their knowledge and enthusiasm by delivering daily eye-opener…
Description
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Friday night spotlight tours programme which provides visitors with a wonderful opportunity to learn more about select parts of the collection during the Museum’s late opening on a Friday evening.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the collection and to engage with our visitors. Please note all training will be included and no prior Museum experience or knowledge is necessary -we are simply looking for engaged, passionate individuals to join our team.
Duties
This volunteer role involves:
- Delivering tours to groups of visitors in the busy galleries of the Museum.
- Engaging visitors in discussions about the objects and cultures represented.
- Assisting with visitor enquiries.
- Participating in training sessions and self-led learning.
How the programme is organised:
- Each volunteer is given a pair of spotlight tours (listed in the application form). They train for one tour at a time and once signed off can move on to the second one.
- Once trained, volunteers will be entered onto a four-weekly rota system. Once per four weeks you will deliver your two talks in an evening to the public.
- The rota is issued on a six-monthly rolling basis.
- In the event that volunteers cannot make a tour, we ask that they swap with a fellow volunteer to ensure that the tour is covered.
Who will the volunteers be working with?
Volunteers, staff and members of the public
Training
What you can expect from us:
• We will provide you with training on delivering tours and all essential information about the subject you are presenting on.
• The opportunity to be a part of the British Museum volunteer team and to be involved in a range of activities.
• We will provide you with training on delivering tours and all essential information about the subject you are presenting on.
• The opportunity to be a part of the British Museum volunteer team and to be involved in a range of activities.
Time commitment
What we would like from you:
• To enjoy talking to people and to be enthusiastic about engaging our visitors with the collection.
• To have a keen interest in the British Museum, its collection and world culture.
• To be confident presenting to large groups of people in a busy environment (or willing to learn!).
• To be able to commit to leading one tour per fortnight for a minimum of six months.
• To undergo a basic security and reference check.
• We do not ask that you have any prior knowledge of the collection.
• To enjoy talking to people and to be enthusiastic about engaging our visitors with the collection.
• To have a keen interest in the British Museum, its collection and world culture.
• To be confident presenting to large groups of people in a busy environment (or willing to learn!).
• To be able to commit to leading one tour per fortnight for a minimum of six months.
• To undergo a basic security and reference check.
• We do not ask that you have any prior knowledge of the collection.
Application deadline