Welcome to Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery volunteer application portal. Here you can apply to become part of our award-winning volunteer team - we look forward to hearing from you.

Before you start, all our volunteers must agree to our Code of Conduct. Please read this and tick the box to say you agree. You will then be able to progress to our application form.

Code of Conduct for volunteers

Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery (Bailiffgate) has built its excellent reputation on the strength of the high standards set by volunteers in every aspect of Bailiffgate’s work.  We are proud of that achievement and this Code of Conduct sets out guidance on the standards of behaviour that reflect the way we work at, or when representing Bailiffgate.

Bailiffgate volunteers will be expected to:

• Perform their role to the best of their ability
• Discuss any suggestions they want to make about their role, the policies, practices or procedures in Bailiffgate with their volunteer mentor
• Treat everybody with fairness, equality, respect and dignity
• Follow the purposes, values and policies of Bailiffgate
• Be reliable, give as much notice as possible if they are unavailable, or unable to complete a task
• Act honestly, responsibly and with integrity  
• Treat information in a confidential manner where required
• Check the copyright of all printed material and photographs and ensure permissions for use are current where needed
• Attend relevant training that is essential to the role
• Work in accordance with Bailiffgate regulations, policies and codes
• Take responsibility for their own Health and Safety, for example wearing safety equipment when working in areas of risk and minimise the risks to others, reporting any near misses or Health and Safety concerns
• Wear dress that is appropriate to the role
• Take responsibility for alerting the Museum Coordinator about concerns, which will then be passed on to the appropriate person or group.

Bailiffgate volunteers can expect to be:

• Treated with respect and dignity
• Valued for the contribution that they make
• Trusted to carry out the role to the best of his/her ability
• Be free from discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity,  race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation
• Provided with training and development opportunities, wherever possible
• Provided with support and guidance
• Given a clear role description or otherwise be clear of Bailiffgate’s expectations regarding the role
• Provided with an open, accessible and fair process for raising any concerns
• Provided with a safe environment to carry out their role and informed about any relevant health and safety matters.

The following conduct is considered to be unsatisfactory:

• Poor timekeeping                                                     
• Persistent absenteeism          
• Continual poor work performance     
• Refusal to comply with instructions given by volunteers designated to lead particular areas          
• Breach of responsibilities in terms of handling personal data.

The following conduct is considered to be totally unacceptable:

• Bringing Bailiffgate’s reputation into disrepute

• Any activity that causes physical or mental harm, or distress to another person including

verbal abuse, starting or spreading malicious rumours bullying, threatening behaviour or harassment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation

• Acting on behalf of Bailiffgate when under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
• Taking property from Bailiffgate, or other volunteers that does not belong to them
• Seeking or accepting gifts, bribes, hospitality (or any item of material value which may be perceived as having an effect on one’s decision-making).

If a volunteer were found to be in breach of any element of this section of the Code of Conduct they could, depending on the severity of the incident and the past record of the volunteer, be subject to Bailiffgate’s Disciplinary Procedures.