SHERBORNE MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer for the Museum – you will find us a friendly team. Being part of the Museum team will not only give you a chance to learn more about your local area but also give you the opportunity to help your local community.

There are a number of teams within the Museum that would welcome your help and support. Our stewards play the most important role, by providing the initial visitor welcome to the Museum. As they are the first face a visitor will see in the Museum, they are invaluable in making the visitor experience as enjoyable as possible. The Steward Co-ordinator is therefore always very pleased to welcome new participants to her team.

Stewards work on a two week rota system, with a minimum of one shift per fortnight. Each steward works the same 2 hour shift/s every fortnight. Shifts are as follows: 10.30-12.30, 12.30-2-30 or 2.30-4.30. If you are unable to do any of your shifts then it is possible to make a swap with another steward or to use a reserve. Those stewards who work the first or last shift of the day are also responsible for opening or closing the Museum, as relevant. This is not difficult and the master keys are held locally and easily accessible.

Full training on all aspects of the stewards’ role is given before their first shift and each steward receives a personal manual of instructions. All aspects of health and safety will be covered in the initial briefing. Stewards are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with the exhibits within the Museum, before they begin their first shift.

Our research/ support team generally come into the Museum on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. They engage in conservation work, such as dusting books, collection care and cataloguing, recording information and answering research queries. Some of our volunteers use the information held in the Museum to research a particular subject. This work can often lead to a small publication and/or a display within the Museum.

We also appreciate people with good administration or DIY skills, or whose skills lie in fundraising.

If you have the time, you can be both a steward and work in conservation and administration etc.

We hope you enjoy being with us