Burnley - Museums

Overview of Service:

Queen Street Mill Museum is looking to recruit Museum Support volunteers, helping to provide knowledge and guidance to visitors.

Queen Street Mill is the last surviving 19th century steam powered weaving mill from the days when cotton was king. It was built in 1894 for the Queen Street Manufacturing Company. It closed on 12 March 1982 and was mothballed, but was subsequently taken over by Burnley Council and maintained as a museum. In the 1990s ownership passed to Lancashire Museums.

Structural engineering experts have said the 115 feet (35 metres) high chimney at Queen Street Mill is in need of strengthening work following a detailed inspection. To allow the work to take place, part of the building has to be cordoned off for health and safety reasons.

The museum will re-open to visitors at Easter for guided tours so the support of a museum volunteer will be essential

Scheduled times: 12pm to 4pm - 3 days, to include weekends Easter to October.

Tasks:

·         Volunteers will help with interpreting and explaining the building, the historic areas, and its history for visitors while the museum is open.

·         They will ensure the security of objects in their stationed room and inform the duty officer of any issues.

·         Volunteers will also be responsible for ensuring that the rules of the museum are observed and provide basic emergency cover such as assisting in fire evacuations.

·         Using good customer care skills the volunteer should be confident about having to approach visitors who touch or otherwise compromise objects and/or the building, and explain why they are asked not to do so.

·         Willing to support staff with running family activities such as trails, craft activities and collection handling on occasion.

·         Willing to support the Museum with their other activities.

·         Log volunteering hours monthly and submit expenses (where applicable) on-line

·         Complete minimum level training e.g. safeguarding and commit to further training relevant to the role.

Required qualities:

·         Comfortable talking and listening to people from many backgrounds and walks of life

·         Patience and understanding

·         Aware of confidentiality

·         Approachable and friendly

·         Able to learn and interpret historical facts

·         Willing and able to negotiate an historic building with no lift

·         Be able to engage with families and their children

·         Willing to undertake appropriate H&S and collections training.