Welcome to our Volunteer Opportunities page!
Here at the Derby Museums, we believe that the most meaningful partnerships are built upon active involvement, shared values and fun. We are thrilled you’d like to join our team, it’s an exciting time to get involved and we hope you’ll feel as inspired as we are as you learn more about our projects and take your first steps to become part of the Derby Museums community.
Please take a look at the opportunities and if anything appeals, please fill in our online application form.
Most site Tours and Inductions for these opportunities are shared in the "Getting Started" section further below. Although some opportunities might have their own specific requirements and these will be specified within the role.
Do also browse our "Co-production" section to have a look at opportunities open to everyone who wants to feed into our events, programmes and activities.
Do you get a kick out of making someone’s day with a helping hand, a smidge of encouragement or a fantastic fact? This may be the role for you! Join the team that has been nominated for best welcome in the '2022 Museum & Heritage Awards' and share your time, knowledge and skills with visitors as they explore and ‘make’ around the museum.
Time commitment
The Museum of Making is open from Tuesday to Sunday. We will work with you to accommodate your preferences and availability.
Location
The Museum of Making is open from Tuesday to Sunday. We hope you can give at least a couple of hours of your time to maximise your experience. Working with you to accommodate your preferences and availability.
Tasks
Engaging and conversing with visitors about our collections and interpretation
Signposting visitors to galleries, toilets or shops (or pointing out a friendly member of staff who can if you don’t know the answer!)
Helping visitors to use the Trailmaker points in the Assemblage collections space
Championing Derby Museums and being an ambassador for the aims and values of the Museum of Making
Telling stories and listening to stories from visitors
This role may be for you if you are:
This role can be combined with:
Training:
We will provide you with training to ensure you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. Get an introduction to the spaces, people and the role by attending our site volunteer introductions.
Proposed dates for these are shared in the "Getting Started" section. Click on the link to browse available times or get in touch to explore alternatives.
With you in mind:
Count on our Visitor Experience Assistant Team and Site Managers to be your point of contact once in place.
Hope, the Coproduction Volunteer Coordinator, manage your overall volunteering experience, supporting you with Wellness Action Plans and/or Goal Setting Plans to discuss any physical, mental health or vocational needs or goals.
Volunteering can help you to gain new skills, boost your confidence, make new friends, and feel connected to a community of people. It is rewarding to be part of a network of people supporting a charity by creating wonderful things and experiences together. We'll provide you with hot drinks, occasional biscuits, and reasonable travel expenses.
Support, promote and interpret the Objects of Love, Hope and Fear: A World Collection gallery, and engage with visitors so they feel inspired, feel curiosity of the world around them, and are intrigued by the co-production methodology used across Derby Museums.
Time commitment
The Museum & Art Gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday. We hope you can give at least a couple of hours of your time to maximise your experience. Working with you to accommodate your preferences and availability.
Location
This role takes place primarily in Objects of Love, Hope and Fear: A World Collection gallery at the Museum and Art Gallery, although Object Walks can happen across all galleries.
Tasks
This role may be for you if you are:
This role can be combined with:
Share with us any areas of personal interest that you want to develop, along with your existing experience, to work with you to create an enriching and meaningful role.
Training:
We will provide you with training to ensure you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. Get an introduction to the spaces, people and the role by attending our site volunteer introductions.
Proposed dates for these are shared in the "Getting Started" section. Click on the link to browse available times or get in touch to explore alternatives.
Getting support:
Count on our Visitor Experience Assistant Team and Site Managers to be your point of contact once in place.
Hope, the Coproduction Volunteer Coordinator, manages your overall volunteering experience, supporting you with Wellness Action Plans and/or Goal Setting Plans to discuss any physical, mental health or vocational needs or goals.
Volunteering can help you to gain new skills, boost your confidence, make new friends, and feel connected to a community of people. It is rewarding to be part of a network of people supporting a charity by creating wonderful things and experiences together. We'll provide you with hot drinks, occasional biscuits, and travel expenses (up to the value of £7 and with the provision of a receipt).
Inspire people so they leave appreciating and admiring the natural world around them by supporting us within the Notice Nature Feel Joy gallery.
Time commitment
The Museum & Art Gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday. We hope you can give at least a couple of hours of your time to maximise your experience. Working with you to accommodate your preferences and availability.
Location
This role takes place primarily in Notice Nature Feel Joy gallery at the Museum and Art Gallery, although Object Walks can happen across all galleries.
What you may be doing:
This role may be for you if you are:
This role can be combined with:
Share with us any areas of personal interest that you want to develop, along with your existing experience, to work with you to create an enriching and meaningful role.
Training:
We will provide you with training to ensure you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. Get an introduction to the spaces, people and the role by attending our site volunteer introductions.
Proposed dates for these are shared in the "Getting Started" section. Click on the link to browse available times or get in touch to explore alternatives.
Getting support:
Count on our Visitor Experience Assistant Team and Site Managers to be your point of contact once in place.
Hope, the Coproduction Volunteer Coordinator, manages your overall volunteering experience, supporting you with Wellness Action Plans and/or Goal Setting Plans to discuss any physical, mental health or vocational needs or goals.
Help us inspire visitors with our archaeological collection and in co producing the new gallery!
What you may be doing:
Time commitment
The Museum & Art Gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday. We hope you can give at least a couple of hours of your time to maximise your experience. Working with you to accommodate your preferences and availability.
Location
This role takes place primarily in Archaeology gallery at the Museum and Art Gallery, although Object Walks can happen across all galleries.
This role may be for you if you are:
This role can be combined with:
Share with us any areas of personal interest that you want to develop, along with your existing experience, to work with you to create an enriching and meaningful role.
Training:
We will provide you with training to ensure you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. Get an introduction to the spaces, people and the role by attending our site volunteer introductions.
Proposed dates for these are shared in the "Getting Started" section. Click on the link to browse available times or get in touch to explore alternatives.
Getting support:
Count on our Visitor Experience Assistant Team and Site Managers to be your point of contact once in place.
Hope, the Coproduction Volunteer Coordinator, manages your overall volunteering experience, supporting you with Wellness Action Plans and/or Goal Setting Plans to discuss any physical, mental health or vocational needs or goals.
Here you'll find our list of site inductions and informal volunteering chats. Site or project inductions are needed before volunteering in some of our roles, so be sure to book one when the role description says it's required- otherwise you won't be able to see the opportunities!
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Museum and Art Gallery Site Induction | 1 | 1/21/2025 | 1/21/2025 | |
| Museum of Making Site Induction | 1 | 1/24/2025 | 1/24/2025 | |
