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 Hands on desks programme which provides visitors with a unique opportunity to handle objects from the Museum collection. There are currently seven Hands on desks (Tours and talks: Hands on desks | British Museum) located throughout the galleries which are open daily, seven days a week, between 11.00 and 16.00.
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:
- Encouraging visitors to handle objects and demonstrating how to do so safely.
- Talking to a wide range of people in a relaxed and informal way.
- Engaging visitors in discussions about the objects and cultures represented.
- Helping visitors to make connections between the handling objects and the adjacent displays.
- Assisting with visitor enquiries.
- Participating in training sessions and self-led learning.
Who will the volunteers be working with?
Other volunteers, staff and members of the public
Training
How the programme is organised:
• Volunteers train for a single Hands on desk at a time.
• Once trained, volunteers are entered onto on a fixed rota system where they undertake two sessions in a four-week period. A session is either 11.00–13.30 or 13.30–16.00.
• The rota is issued on a six-monthly basis.
• In the event that volunteers cannot make their session, we ask that they swap with a fellow volunteer so that their session is covered.
What you can expect from us:
• We will provide you with training on different ways to engage visitors at a Hands on desk and with information about the objects. No prior knowledge of the collection is required.
• The opportunity to be a part of the British Museum and to be involved in a range of activities.
• Volunteers train for a single Hands on desk at a time.
• Once trained, volunteers are entered onto on a fixed rota system where they undertake two sessions in a four-week period. A session is either 11.00–13.30 or 13.30–16.00.
• The rota is issued on a six-monthly basis.
• In the event that volunteers cannot make their session, we ask that they swap with a fellow volunteer so that their session is covered.
What you can expect from us:
• We will provide you with training on different ways to engage visitors at a Hands on desk and with information about the objects. No prior knowledge of the collection is required.
• The opportunity to be a part of the British Museum and to be involved in a range of activities.
Time commitment
What we would like from you:
• To enjoy talking to people of all ages and backgrounds and to be enthusiastic about engaging our visitors with the collection.
• To have an interest in working with all audiences including families, adults and school groups.
• To have a keen interest in the British Museum, its collection and world culture.
• To be able to commit to leading two sessions in a four-week period for a minimum of six months.
• To undergo a basic security and reference check.
• To enjoy talking to people of all ages and backgrounds and to be enthusiastic about engaging our visitors with the collection.
• To have an interest in working with all audiences including families, adults and school groups.
• To have a keen interest in the British Museum, its collection and world culture.
• To be able to commit to leading two sessions in a four-week period for a minimum of six months.
• To undergo a basic security and reference check.
Application deadline