Volunteer at Brent Museum and Archives

Get involved with Brent Museum and Archives

Volunteer with us

Volunteering opportunities (18+) will appear on this page when they become available.

Please read the role profile and apply using the links at the bottom of the page. Opportunities may cover a broad range of exciting activities, and are likely to include:

Welcoming, hosting and talking to visitors in our museum and temporary exhibition space.
Assisting with the running of the Archive Search Room, as well as collecting and delivering collections material to researchers.
Working directly with Brent Museum and Archive collections; helping to care for and research them.
Helping the team with our exhibitions programme by supporting them in developing, marketing and installing the displays.
Being an active team member in our programme of events, including learning session, outreach events and engagements projects across the different communities of Brent. This will take place at locations across the borough, as well as in The Library at Willesden Green.

You will receive all the relevant training you need and you will work in a supportive environment with a team who will challenge, develop and engage with you, depending on what you need from us.

What’s in it for you?

Employability skills. You will gain valuable experience of being in a busy and rewarding workplace, working in a professional team, gaining customer service skills through working in a front facing service.
Transferable skills. You will gain skills and experience in many different areas that can be relevant to many different areas of work. These include skills in learning, curriculum education, events, customer service, records management.
An opportunity to learn more about your local area, meet new and interesting people who could inform and inspire you. You might learn something or meet someone who challenges your existing views and changes your perspective. You might change the perspective of others.
Volunteering offers a chance to support and contribute to your local museum and archive service, which exists to serve you, but you needs your help and time to do this.

If this sounds like something you want to be part of then please complete the application form today.

Volunteering opportunities

Learning volunteer (school and families)

Learning Volunteers support heritage staff in ensuring the smooth running of learning sessions and events associated with the Museum, Archives and Exhibitions. Learning volunteers help develop and run learning and family events as set out by the Learning Officer and Heritage Team.

The objective is to provide a welcoming environment for all, to enhance the visitor experience, to engage with visitors, communities and young people and to provide adequate Health and Safety coverage for the building.

What does the role involve?

Greeting visitors, school groups and families and offering assistance and direction as required
Working with the Learning Officer to develop and deliver the learning offering as part of the Heritage service.
Setting up rooms and spaces in preparation for events
Helping visitors and participants navigate the museum/archives/exhibition spaces
Helping to ensure that the museum and archives are a safe and welcoming space for all by reporting any issues observed to staff members
Promoting our services and events to visitors as required.
Encouraging and assisting attendees to fill out evaluation forms

What will I get out of it?

Learning volunteers gain first-hand experience of learning in a heritage environment.

Learning Volunteers supporting events come into contact with the whole range of museum visitors and will gain experience in customer service, events, knowledge of the collections and heritage services and satisfaction in supporting the whole community to access heritage collections.

What we are looking for

A friendly and welcoming demeanour and an interest in other people
An enthusiasm for engaging with people, particularly children and young people.
Good communication and listening skills
Good organisation and time keeping
An interest in local history
Ability to carry out tasks independently at times
Reliability
A commitment to Brent Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy and Statement of Intent

What training and support will I receive?

General museum/archive induction
Briefing on any key services of events to promote
Basic guidelines on working with children and vulnerable adults

Placement details

The hours and days of the placement can be negotiated, some unsocial hours may be required if supporting weekend or evening events.

The placement is based in Willesden Green, but workshops and events are also held at Brent Civic Centre, branch libraries and schools across the borough.

Travel expenses up to £4/day will be paid upon completion of a form with supporting evidence e.g. scan of Transport for London record.

Learning Volunteers are contacted in advance of school workshops and events to check their availability for each forthcoming activity.

Apply

Fill out below application form to register your interest in volunteering. Please read the volunteering policy before you apply.

Apply to volunteer at Brent Museum and Archives