Nightlight Lullabies Project Volunteer

Nightlight Lullabies Project Volunteer

April-October 2025

 

Murmuration Arts and Derby Museums are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help conduct oral history interviews for the Nightlight Lullabies Derby Project. This exciting project will capture community stories, heritage lullabies and bedtime traditions of parents from diverse backgrounds, including deaf parents and BSL speakers to reflect the personal experiences of parenthood and bedtime routines across Derby’s communities. The project will complete with an exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery that will contain a listening post playing lullabies, a soundscape of oral testimonies collected by volunteers, and a Visual Vernacular (VV) film created with deaf parents.

No prior experience in oral history is required as full training will be provided!

 

Murmuration Arts create participatory, community-engaged oral history, theatre, dance and multi-disciplinary arts projects that collaborate with communities. Find out more about Murmuration Arts: www.murmurationarts.co.uk 

Main Contact: Marion Duggan, Project Director and Hope Slater, Volunteer Coordinator for Derby Museums

 

Time Commitment

We ask for a total time commitment of 14 hours between April and July, which includes:

  • Training by the Oral History Society on Monday, 28 April | 10:30–17:00 at Derby Museum and Art Gallery. This training will cover all of the basics of oral testimonies, including how to record, ask questions and more.
  • Training with Murmuration Arts on Tuesday, 29 April | 10:30–12:30 at the Museum and Art Gallery. This training will cover interviewing parents and how we will support you in gathering oral testimonies.
  • Conducting the oral history interviews between May - June 2025): Conduct 1–2 interviews (with full support).
  • Preparing paperwork for the archive between June - July 2025: Summarising interviews and preparing cover sheets (training provided).

 

Location

Training will take place at the Museum and Art Gallery. Oral testimony recordings will take place in a range of settings which may include family homes, community centres, the Museum and other such places. You will be supported by the team when conducting oral testimonies, and will never be on your own! Help with travel can be offered to help you reach interview spaces.

Tasks

  • Conducting equipment checks- ensuring equipment, batteries and forms are ready before the interview.
  • Explaining interviewees’ rights before interviews, sharing the purpose of the interview, how the recording will be used, and what happens after with the support of staff. (Full training in this given)
  • Obtaining signed copyright release forms with accurate contact details with the support of the team. 
  • Inform interviewees they can review the transcribed interview and remove sections if needed once the interview has been conducted.
  • Listening to your recordings and noting key moments with time stamps throughout the interview.
  • Be kind and caring to all participants.
  • Share event details and encourage interviewees to bring family and friends to view the final work.

 

This role might be right for you if you:

  • Are interested in learning how to conduct oral testimony interviews
  • Are a good listener and enjoy learning from other people’s stories
  • Would enjoy contributing to a community project and art installation
  • Are passionate about recording Derby heritage
  • Would like to champion Derby heritage and culture, including being an ambassador for the Museums and Murmuration Arts

 

With you in mind

Murmuration Arts can contribute a travel budget of £20 per training or interview day, along with lunch on Monday 28 April.

If you require childcare support to participate, please let us know and Murmuration Arts will work with you to support.

 

Nightlight Lullabies Derby is created and produced by Murmuration Arts. Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. In partnership with Derby Museums and The Royal School For The Deaf Derby. Supported by D-Youth Hub, Action Deafness and Family Hub Derby.