One of the major aims of the partnership between The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) and Reading Museum, is to offer volunteering opportunities to the local community to improve wellbeing, connect people to their personal histories and identities, and get to know more about Reading's rich cultural heritage.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation.
We want you to feel part of the team, to have fun, to meet new people and perhaps to gain experience in the workplace, while developing supplementary skills to enhance a CV.
You may wish to apply existing skills and knowledge in an area in which you are already comfortable.
Alternatively, you may wish to try something new, and develop new skills or simply give something back to your local community.
Whatever your reason for volunteering, we are thrilled you are considering joining our volunteer community who work across The MERL and Reading Museum.
To apply to be one of our volunteers, get yourself a cuppa and fill in the application form by following the 'I would like to volunteer' link on the right hand side of this page (or if you're on a smaller screen it will be below this message).
You can browse a complete list of all roles performed by existing Museums Partnership Reading volunteers.
When we have a vacancy for a role, it will say *Now recruiting* next to the title of the role.
Feel free to tick a few that interest you, so that we can let you know in future if a vacancy arises for that role.
Please note that if you do not tick any of the interests, we won't contact you, as you won't come up in our search for that vacancy.
In your application, please give us as much relevant information as you like, including: how you feel you meet the requirements of the volunteering role, and how you would like to help. The more we know about you and what you are interested in, the easier it is for us to match you
On some occasions more volunteers apply for the role than we have opportunity for in the rota. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants*.
Remember to indicate in the Availability section if specific days of the week or time of day work best around your other commitments.
As soon as you are registered, you'll join the waiting list.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive the form!
As soon as we are recruiting to that role, we will get in touch with our matches and invite them to an informal interview. This can be over Zoom/ Teams, or in person according to your preference.
If you need any help with the application process, please email VolunteerHQ@reading.ac.uk and we will do our best to help.
Thank you.
*We are lucky enough to receive a high volume of volunteer applications. We will get in touch as soon as we are actively recruiting to a vacancy that matches the information on your form. Sometimes there may be a wait of some months before we can match you to a role, but please be assured we work as fast as we can to give as many people as possible the opportunity to join our volunteer family. We hope you agree it is worth the wait!*
Data collection and processing is in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016, and the Data Protection Act 2018, and in line with our Privacy Policy.
School Holiday Events & Activities Volunteer
Next closing date: 9am Wed 25 June
Role Description
Locations:
Family events and activities are scheduled throughout the local school holidays at both our partner museums and nearby outdoor spaces.
Why we want you
Events & Activities volunteers help us to deliver a programme of fun, friendly and fabulous special events all year, either at the Museums or out and about in the community.
You will help our Visitor Welcome teams to provide an exceptional welcome, and help with a wide range of family activities.
To get an idea of the kind of family activities which take place throughout the year, please see our What’s On pages
The Museum of English Rural Life
What you will be doing
What you will gain in return
This role will suit you if you are
How much time will it take up?
This role is very flexible and has no regular time commitment, although events are always during local school holidays.
The Event programme is planned in advance, so we are able to give some notice some weeks ahead.
To apply
New prospective volunteers
If you are not already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please apply on our volunteering platform, ensuring you tick the box next to ‘School Holiday Events & Activities Volunteer’ in your ‘Interests’.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
We sometimes find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies. Please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this will be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive the form!
Existing volunteers
If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, ensuring you tick the box next to ‘School Holiday Events & Activities Volunteer’ in your ‘Interests’.
Matching to the Role
To help us select our volunteers for this role, we will look through all the application forms, and we will draw up a shortlist of those who most closely match the ‘This role will suit you if you are’ criteria mentioned above.
Before the main school holidays in February Half Term, the Easter Holidays, Summer Holidays, and October Half term, we will invite a limited number of prospective volunteers to a an interview to help inform you further about what the role involve.
Successful applicants will be invited to a group volunteer induction session shortly before the school holidays start.
Youth Panel Member
Volunteer Role Description
Locations: Either The Museum of English Rural Life or Reading Museum
Current project:
Jane Austen 250 - May/ June /July 2025
Join the town, nation and world wide celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Reading schooled writer Jane Austen with a special MPR Youth Panel series of hands on creative workshops. All materials supplied
Thursday 15th May (4.30 - 6 pm)
Blackwork embroidery with Charlotte Hollis at Reading Museum
https://blackworkembroidery.org/
Get stitching like the Austen womenfolk and decorate your own tote bag with simple stitch emojis, letters or flowers.
Staff contact: Anna.
Thursday 19th June (4.30 - 6 pm)
Natural Ink Making with Nicky Culetto at Reading Museum
Explore the history of ink making and discover the wide variety of useful materials and resources found in nature - including the oak gall. Experiment with Jane Austen's own recipe to make the ink with which she penned her famous novels, and play with a range of dip pens, quills, and brushes.
Staff contact: Anna.
Thursday 17th July (4.30 - 6 pm)
Reading reading & writing with Anna Jones at Reading Museum
https://janeaustens.house/teenage-writings/
Jane Austen's House resources Teenage Writings are short, funny, a bit wild and madly inventive. Read, write, learn and play, all inspired by Jane Austen as you've never seen her before...
Staff contact: Anna.
The Youth Panel will suit you if you:
What you will gain in return
How much time will it take up?
Meetings take place on the third Thursday of the month (except August) from 4:30 to 6pm and usually take place in person. You do not have to attend all meetings.
We know not everyone will be available every session, but please come along when you can. You will be informed in advance where the Youth Panel are meeting.
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform .
*Please ensure you tick ‘Youth Panel’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Matching to the role
We will check applications on a monthly basis and we send you details about the location of the meeting and the current project.
Further Information about the Museums Partnership Reading Youth Panel
We love to hear regularly from our younger supporters to make sure that we are offering exhibitions and experiences that are of interest across the generations.
Our Youth Panel, for young people aged 14 – 18, offers collective work experience opportunities across The MERL and Reading Museum as part of Museums Partnership Reading’s youth programme. We meet monthly to work on a variety of exciting projects which are great for developing a range of transferable skills. Our panel members influence current projects and programming and are change-makers within Reading’s culture and heritage sector.
Inspired by the conversations we have had with Youth Panel members during the Youth Manifesto project, we listened to feedback about the need for the museums to offer age-appropriate activities and something different for teenage audiences and offered an increased number of workshops as part of our public and learning programmes.
Recent and Past Youth Panel Projects include:
“The Youth Panel is a small commitment for such a huge personal gain. Something I love is that the leaders of the panel and the people at the museums that we work with treat me like an adult, they value my opinion and I feel empowered to make changes that will engage youth in our local history.” (Youth Panel member)
An outdoor role, sharing stories about Reading's great and the good to pre-booked groups. Normally on a Saturday, unless by special arrangement.
Reading Abbey Quarter Tour Sweeper volunteer
Location: Reading Museum & Abbey Quarter
Suitable for volunteers aged 18 and over
Role Description
Why we want you
Reading Museum runs a regular programme of outdoor guided tours for the public and additional tours for pre-booked groups.
Our guided tours are vital in bringing the Abbey Quarter’s rich history to life for our visitors. Our volunteers help to share our enthusiasm for the site where King Henry I was buried, Jane Austen was taught and Oscar Wilde was imprisoned.
We offer an opportunity to inspire visitors to discover the history of the town and its people through its historic buildings and objects.
Tours usually take place weekly on Saturdays from April to September, so shifts are rostered for our volunteers usually 10:30am – 1:00pm, and we offer occasional afternoon tours 1:30 – 4:00pm.
We also take bookings for private tours, by arrangement.
The tour starts at Reading Museum, and participants are led to explore the wider Abbey Quarter, including the Abbey ruins.
What you will be doing
Along the way you will learn the content of the tour, and may one day apply to lead the tours yourself.
This role will suit you if you are:
What you will get out of it
How much time it will take up?
You will become part of a team of tour guides and sweepers. Our current volunteers donate an average of one shift a fortnight.
You will be sent a list of Guided Tour dates in advance and invited to share your availability, and the role Supervisor will confirm the rota as soon as possible.
The length of a typical shift is 2.5 hours and the tour itself is 1.5hrs long.
What training and support we provide
Reading Museum prides itself on being awarded Investing in Volunteers accreditation in 2023. We will provide full training and ongoing support to all volunteers to help them do well in this role.
We can offer training for this role on the mornings of Wednesday 6th March or Friday 15th March 2024.
Who does the role report to?
Reading Museum’s Learning Officer, Guja Bandini
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Reading Abbey Quarter Tour Sweeper volunteer’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, by 9am on Monday 19th February.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
We sometimes find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant
information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Reading Abbey Quarter Tour Sweeper volunteer’ by 9am on Monday 19th February.
Matching to the role
If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to an informal interview with Guja Bandini and Sheila Fisher (Museum Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator), where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us some questions.
Helping to increase the public accessibility of a range of rural life publications and photography collections from the UMASCS Archives.
May include re-packaging, indexing
Based at The MERL
Archive Re-packaging Volunteer 
Location:
The reading room at The Museum of English Rural Life (ground floor) - Monday mornings from 10am to 1pm. We expect that this stage of the project will initially run until the end of July 2025.
Why we want you:
We are looking for two volunteers to join a team of up to four existing volunteers. You will repackage archives in archive quality folders, replacing paperclips and retaining information on existing folders. This will assist in their permanent preservation.
What you will be doing:
Replacing existing folders containing archives with archive quality folders and replacing paperclips, transcribing any information from the folders to the new folders.
You will be working with the archive team working on a range of archive collections which will include the London Typographical Designers archive and a Landscape Architect collection. Full training will be provided.
Please be aware that when working on uncatalogued items you may discover some harmful content that you should highlight to the Project Supervisors. An example is an outdated racial term that was commonly used decades ago that would cause offence to modern researchers. As a result of uncovering this content, a ‘harmful content warning’ would then be placed on the file and the online catalogue to warn researchers.
This role will suit you if you are:
What you will gain in return
Who will I report to?
How much time will it take up?
Monday mornings from 10am-1pm. We expect that this stage of the project will initially run until the end of July 2025.
To apply
If you are able to use a computer or mobile device, please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by 9am on Monday 20 January 2025.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Archive Re-packaging Volunteer’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering*
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
We often find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies.
We expect to receive a lot of interest for this position.
You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
A hard copy application form is available for those who are not confident in using computers or have limited digital access. Please email VolunteeringHQ@reading.ac.uk and we can send you a Word application form which can be completed digitally, or printed and handed in.
Existing volunteers/ already registered your application - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Archive Re-packaging Volunteer’ on our volunteering platform by 9am on Monday 20 January 2025.
Matching to the role
If you are shortlisted for this role, we will invite you to your first session on 3 Feb 2025.
Matching to the role
If you are shortlisted for this role, we will invite you to your first session on 3 Feb 2025.
Archive Re-packaging Volunteer - Further Afield project
Please note:
This role is reserved for people looking for a supported volunteer role for a fixed term from 15 January until 26 February.
Location: The reading room at The Museum of English Rural Life (ground floor) - Monday afternoons from 1pm to 4pm.
Why we want you:
We are looking for volunteers to make a large quantity of archive quality card files to re-package object accession file paperwork.
What you will be doing:
Creating conservation grade card files to store archive papers.
This part of the Further Afield project will re-package object accession file archive paperwork into folders made with new conservation grade materials.
You will be making bespoke card folders using a template and sharp knives.
The object accession files contain information about an object, or group of objects, such as donation information, letters, museum reference cards, photographs, drawings, as well as documentation about history and use. The contents of these files are essential to the Museum, and require long-term protection.
You will be working alongside a small team of researchers who will be searching for references in the accession files that relate to people from underrepresented communities not previously added to our online catalogue.
So along the way you will gain an insight into the breadth of our object collection.
Please be aware that when working on uncatalogued items you may discover some harmful content that you should highlight to the Project Supervisors. An example is an outdated racial term that was commonly used decades ago that would cause offence to modern researchers. As a result of uncovering this content, a ‘harmful content warning’ would then be placed on the file and the online catalogue to warn researchers.
This role will suit you if you are:
What you will gain in return
Who will I report to?
How much time will it take up?
Our preferred session time for in person meet ups will be on a Monday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm. We expect that this project will initially run for 7 weeks from 15 January 2024 to 26 February 2024.
To apply
Please note: This role is reserved for people looking for a supported volunteer role for a fixed term from 15 January until 26 February. We will primarily be reaching out within our existing partner organisations to find 1-3 volunteers to this role, but we will consider new applicants if you apply by the closing date.
If you, and/ or the person you helping to apply, are able to use a computer or mobile device, please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by midday on Monday 8 January 2024.
A hard copy application form is available for those who are not confident in using computers or have limited digital access. Please email VolunteeringHQ@reading.ac.uk and we can send you a Word application form which can be completed digitally, or printed and handed in.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Archive Re-packaging Volunteer - Further Afield project’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering*
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
We sometimes find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Archive Re-packaging Volunteer - Further Afield project’ by midday on Monday 8 January 2024
Matching to the role
If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to first session on 15 January 2024.
Archives Volunteer – London Typographical Designers Archive
Location: Virtual volunteering for University Museums and Special Collections Service
Why we want you
Special Collections are currently organising a volunteer driven project that aims to provide easier access to the London Typographical Designers Archive. The firm was established in 1945 by Beric Young, an artist; Oliver Burridge, a master printer, and Leon French and William Morgan, both typographers.
They had all worked together in the Ministry of Information. Clients of the firm include: John Laing, Marconi, Bowater, British Oxygen, Mobil Oil and Cliffords Dairies. Oliver Burridge left the firm and George Thompson joined the firm in 1948. Ken Sewell joined in 1965 and the firm now trades under the name LTD Design Consultants.
What you will be doing
We hold a handwritten list of the contents of the archive which we would like to be typed into an Excel spreadsheet. Each job the firm undertook has a file and this contains a job sheet, examples of artwork, proofs, estimates and copies of invoices.
You will be given an electronic scan of the list. The list contains the job number, the client, the nature of the work undertaken and the date. The Excel sheet you help us complete will then be imported into our collections database to ensure future researchers have greater access to the collection.
Please be aware that when working on uncatalogued items you may discover some harmful content that you should highlight to the Project Supervisor. An example is an outdated racial term that was commonly used decades ago that would cause offence to modern researchers. As a result of uncovering this content, a ‘harmful content warning’ would then be placed on the online catalogue to warn researchers.
This role will suit you if you are:
• Able to work both independently, but also enjoy being part of a team
• Interested in design history
• Enthusiastic, proactive and curious
• Able to type accurately and work methodically
What you will gain in return
• This project will help you discover more about twentieth century typographical design
• Develop your typing skills and work accurately to improve the level of detail available in our collections database, which will greatly assist future researchers
• Gain some new skills for your CV
Who does the role report to?
Caroline Gould, Principal Archivist, based at Special Collections c.l.gould@reading.ac.uk
How much time will it take up?
We suggest a few hours a week, and you will form part of a team of volunteers who will help us list the collection of nearly 4000 job files.
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform Better Impact by Tuesday 23 July at 9am.
Please click on this link to the volunteering platform http://bttr.im/w2yev
Please ensure you tick ‘Archive Volunteer – London Typographical Designers project’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My Profile, when registering.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Existing volunteers/ applicants on the waiting list
If you have already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Archive Volunteer – London Typographical Designers project’ by Tuesday 23 July at 9am. You may want to update your ‘Additional info’ fields to reflect any experience and skills you have gained since you initially applied or joined the volunteering team.
Matching to the Role
We are fortunate to have perennial interest from prospective volunteers hoping to volunteer with our archives, so initially we will select eight volunteers to help in our first cohort.
To help us select our first cohort, if from your application we can see you look a good match for the roles, we will let you know by Wednesday 24 July if we will be inviting you to join the first cohort.
You would also be invited to a Welcome briefing, which will take place online on Friday 26 July at 10:30am (this will be recorded if you are unable to attend), where you will be given more detailed guidance.
Helping the University Art Collections Curatorial team to prepare for forthcoming exhibitions or research.
The MERL
Unearthing the stories behind the artists and the works in the Reading Museum art collection, helping the Curator prepare for forthcoming exhibitions.
Chatty Café Volunteer
Location: The MERL on the third Tuesday of the month
Why we want you:
‘Chatty Café’ forms part of The MERL’s health and wellbeing programme. It is an informal, free, drop-in opportunity for adults to visit the museum, have a cup of tea, a chat and reminisce over collections, alongside other opportunities such as board games and craft.
All activities are optional, and the real aim is for attendees to be comfortable, feel valued, connect with others and the museum.
We collect feedback to discover what might tempt attendees back, what themes of reminiscence might appeal to them in the future, and to learn how the experience has impacted on their health and wellbeing. It is also a great chance to signpost other activities which might be of interest in our current What’s On guide.
You can find out more about the impact of The MERL’s health and wellbeing programmes, including Chatty Café here in this blog
What you will be doing:
This role will suit you if you are able to:
What you will gain in return:
How much time will it take up?
You will form part of a small team who help with this activity on the third Tuesday of the month from 1.45 – 4.00pm.
There is no minimum expectation of the amount of time, but many of our attendees are repeat visitors so if you are able to commit to attending monthly, if you are able, that can really add value and bring satisfaction to your volunteering
Who does the role report to?
Phillippa Heath, The MERL’s Learning and Engagement Manager
To apply
New prospective volunteers - If you are not already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please register on our volunteering platform, ensuring you tick the box next to Chatty Cafe (MERL) in your ‘Interests’.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to Afternoon at The MERL - Chatty Cafe (MERL) in your ‘Interests’.
Matching to the Role
To help us select our volunteers, we will look through all the application forms of those interested, and we will draw up a shortlist of those who most closely match our ideal requirements.
We will invite a limited number of prospective volunteers to observe a session and have an informal interview to discuss the role. You would be welcome to assist with an aspect of the session to give you an idea of what to expect from the role.
Helping The MERL Curatorial team to catalogue objects in the rural life collections.
The MERL
Helping the Reading Museum Curatorial team to catalogue a huge variety of objects in store at the off-site collections facility.
Helping The MERL Curatorial team to research into items in our rural life collection.
The MERL
Helping the Reading Museum Curatorial team to research into items in our collection.
Reading Museum
Conservation and Preservation Volunteer – Stitch in Time Project
Location:
The Conservation Studio at The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, RG1 5EX.
Please note this role will take place on Mondays mornings from 9.30am to 12:30pm, starting from Monday 29th January 2024 for a period of up to 12 weeks.
Working in the Conservation studio on Monday mornings, you will undertake basic but important preservation tasks on the selected material. This may include:
Special access/ allergy trigger considerations
This role includes
As you will be working as part of a small team, we will be able to distribute tasks within the team and adapt your tasks to promote as full participation in this role as possible.
This role will suit you if you are
What you will gain in return
Victoria Stevens ACR, Library and Archive Conservator, based at The MERL.
How much time will it take up?
The sessions will be held on a Monday morning from 9.30am to 12:30pm from Monday 29th January 2024.
This cohort will be for up to 12 weeks maximum, and will be dependent on material availability.
You will get the most out of the placement if you are able to attend as many sessions as possible during that time. However, we realize that you may have some prior commitments/ appointments in the 12 week period.
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform Better Impact by midday on Monday January 15th 2024.
Please click on this link to the volunteering platform http://bttr.im/w2yev
Please ensure you tick ‘Conservation and Preservation volunteer – Stitch in Time project’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My Profile, when registering.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Conservation and Preservation volunteer – Stitch in Time project’ by midday on Monday January 15th 2024.
We are fortunate to have perennial interest from prospective volunteers hoping to volunteer with our archives for fascinating projects such as this. We are looking for up to two volunteers to help in our next 12 week cohort.
We will let you know by Wednesday 24th January if we will be inviting you to join this cohort.
The first meeting will take place on Monday 29th January at 9.30am where you will be given more detailed guidance and initial training.
Wearing a replica historic costume and talking to visitors at public events and tours can help people better understand famous Reading residents from various points in its fascinating history.
Curatorial Volunteer – University of Reading Art Collections
Closing date: midday Thursday 20th June
Location:
Volunteering role for University of Reading Art Collections – normally based at The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading RG1 5EX
Why we want you
You will assist the University Art Collections Team with a range of research, cataloguing and administrative tasks in connection to the management and promotion of the University Art Collection.
We are offering this role as an opportunity for anyone interested in developing a career working in museums and galleries, for a fixed period of 3 months (most likely July to Sept 2024).
What you will be doing
What you will gain in return
This role will suit you if you have
How much time will it take up?
This role best suits someone who can provide about one day a week
Who will I report to?
You will report to Clare Plascow, Collections Officer
How to apply
If you do not already volunteer for Museums Partnership Reading, please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform, Better Impact http://bttr.im/w2yev by midday on Thursday 20th June 2024.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Curatorial Volunteer – Art Collections’ in your ‘Interests’ Section under ‘My Profile’ when registering*
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Existing volunteers/ applicants on the waiting list
If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Curatorial Volunteer – Art Collections’ by midday on Thursday 20th June 2024. You may want to update your ‘Additional info’ fields to reflect any experience and skills you have gained since you initially applied or joined the volunteering team.
Matching to the role
We are looking for one volunteer for this role. Behind the scenes collections roles are very popular and we a fortunate to find that many more people apply for the role than we have vacancies, so we are unable to accept all applicants. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to an informal interview with Clare Plascow and Sheila Fisher (Museum Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator), where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us some questions.
Combine your love of storytelling, interest in history, all love of all new media to help us share those stories far and wide.
Friday Fledglings Volunteer at The MERL
Location: The Museum of English Rural Life, 6 Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5EX
Volunteer Shift:
Friday mornings during normal term times from 9.15am-12noon
Friday Fledglings does not run during local school holidays.
Why we want you
Our highly popular outdoor toddler sessions ‘Friday Fledglings’ attract an average of 50 children each week.
Friday Fledglings is led by Charlotte, a local teacher and Level 3 Forest Leader.
Sessions take their inspiration from nature, and the themes and collections of the museum, and focus on outdoor play and exploration of the natural environment. Each session involves story-telling, craft activities and singing.
You will become part of the team to help ensure the smooth running of sessions.
What you will be doing
This role will suit you if you are
What you will gain in return
How much time will it take up?
You will join a team of volunteers on a Friday morning during local school term times from 9.15am-12noon.
It is not essential to attend every week, you would just sign up for the shifts that suit your world.
The volunteer shift includes set up and take down time.
Visitors attend between 10 and 11.30am.
Friday Fledglings does not run during local school holidays.
What do I need to wear?
Please note that these sessions take place outside in The MERL garden, and run throughout the year, in all weathers! Most sessions take place entirely outdoors, no matter what the weather does! Please bring suitable clothing.
Who will I report to?
The overall supervisor of the role is Danielle Eade (Public Programmes Manager)
The sessions are led by Charlotte and a Sessional Learning Facilitator who will allocate tasks and support you on the day.
Gardening Volunteer at The MERL
Location:
The Museum of English Rural Life on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm
Why we want you
Garden Volunteers play a welcome part in helping to maintain The MERL garden, ensuring that it remains attractive and accessible for our community gardeners and visitors.
What you will be doing
This role will suit you if you are
What you will gain in return
How much time will it take up?
You will join a team of volunteers on a Wednesday morning from 10:00am-12noon.
Whilst it is not essential to attend every week, we do ask that you let the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator (Garden Projects) know in advance if you cannot attend. The Garden Volunteers meet all year round.
What do I need to wear?
Suitable clothing and footwear is required for outside work, throughout the year, in a range of weather. Sturdy trainers, wellies or walking boots are necessary and we request that you bring your own gardening gloves.
Who will I report to?
The sessions are led by Cathy Smith - Assistant Volunteer Coordinator (Garden Projects)
catherine.smith@reading.ac.uk, who will allocate tasks and support you on the day.
To apply
New prospective volunteers - If you are not already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please register on our volunteering platform, ensuring you tick the box next to Gardening Volunteer (MERL) in your ‘Interests’ by Monday 15th Jan at 9am.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to Gardening Volunteer (MERL) in your ‘Interests’ by Monday 15th Jan at 9am.
Matching to the Role
When there is a vacancy for this role, to help us select our volunteers, we will look through all the application forms of those interested, and we draw up a shortlist of those who most closely match our ideal requirements.
We will invite a limited number of prospective volunteers to attend a trial session to give you an idea of what to expect from the role and have an informal chat to discuss the role. References will be sought prior to commencement of the role.
MERL Green Explorers Volunteer
Location:
The Museum of English Rural Life
Role Description
Volunteer Shift:
Last Sunday morning of each month
9.15am-12.30pm
Why we want you
The MERL Green Explorers sessions provide an amazing opportunity for up to 20 children aged 5+ to experience nature and build their outdoor skills, along with their caregivers.
Led by Charlotte, a local environmental education teacher and Level 3 Forest Leader, sessions are themed around the museum collections and our changing seasons. Activities vary each session but will include shelter building, finding out all about the birds, animals and insects, identifying animals from the clues they leave behind, woodcraft tool use, insect discovery and preparing snacks and craft activities linked to the garden using natural materials.
These sessions will allow children and adults to connect and build their confidence, while creating positive relationships with their natural environment, encouraging them to grow up willing and able to protect it.
You will become part of the team to help ensure the smooth running of sessions.
What you will be doing
This role will suit you if you are
What you will gain in return
How much time will it take up?
You will join a team of volunteers on a monthly Sunday from 9.15am-12.30pm. It is not essential to attend every month, you would just sign up for the shifts that suit your world. The volunteer shift includes set up and take down time. Visitors attend between 10 and 12pm.
What do I need to wear?
Please note that these sessions take place outside in The MERL garden, and run throughout the year, in all weathers! The entire session will remain outdoors, no matter what the weather does! Please bring suitable clothing.
Who will I report to?
The overall supervisor of the role is Danielle Eade (Public Programmes Manager)
The sessions are led by Charlotte Allchin and Faris Al Ali who will allocate tasks and support you on the day.
To apply
New prospective volunteers - If you are not already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please register on our volunteering platform, ensuring you tick the box next to ‘Green Explorers’ in your ‘Interests’.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Green Explorers’.
Matching to the Role
To help us select our volunteers, we will look through all the application/ registration forms of those interested, and we draw up a shortlist of those who most closely match our ideal requirements.
We will invite a limited number of prospective volunteers to an informal interview to discuss the role.
Help us introduce our group visitors to our fascinating collection with an introduction to the galleries, and share personal stories of the objects that mean most to you.
The MERL
Image Researcher - Dictionary of Agricultural Hand Tools Project
Location: The reading room at The MERL, and volunteering from home where appropriate
Why we want you
An opportunity has arisen for a volunteer to assist in creating a final version of the Agricultural Hand tools Dictionary so it can be published.
Chris Green, an independent researcher who has been a MERL Fellow, has been working on a ‘Historical Dictionary of Agricultural Hand tools.’
Details of images Chris intends to use have become lost, and some of the page numbers in the draft are out of sync.
What you will be doing
This role will suit you if you are
What you will gain in return
Who does the role report to?
Dr Ollie Douglas, Curator of MERL collections
How much time will it take up?
We suggest you attend the reading room in person on a Monday afternoon 1-4pm when we can offer supervision.
If you are not available on Mondays, we would do our best to accommodate you on an alternative day.
We estimate that this may take approximately six weeks, with the possibility of extension if necessary.
To apply
If you are able to use a computer or mobile device, please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by 9am on Wednesday 5 February 2025.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Image Researcher’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering*
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
We often find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies.
We expect to receive a lot of interest for this position.
You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
A hard copy application form is available for those who are not confident in using computers or have limited digital access. Please email VolunteeringHQ@reading.ac.uk and we can send you a Word application form which can be completed digitally, or printed and handed in.
Existing volunteers/ already registered your application - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘‘Image Researcher’ on our volunteering platform by 9am on Wednesday 5 February 2025.
Matching to the role
If you are shortlisted for this role, we will be in touch directly soon after the closing date.
Supporting the team to deliver fun and engaging sessions about rural life for all ages and abilities, including reminiscence work with younger or older people with dementia, and with school groups.
The MERL
Helping to increase the public accessibility of a wide range of books, publications and ephemera held by the University of Reading
The MERL
Museums on Wheels Volunteer
Location: Volunteering at our Museums on Wheels roadshow at locations in and around Reading such as large scale public festivals and community venues like libraries
Why we want you:
‘Museums on Wheels’ forms part of our museum outreach programme. We take the Museums Partnership Reading roadshow stall out to events in and around Reading, and also smaller scale in libraries and community venues.
We aim to enthuse members of the public about the museum and collections while we're out and about.
We bring items from our handling collection, a themed make and take, and we collect feedback to discover what might tempt visitors back into our free and fascinating venues.
In 2023 our roadshow will be particularly focussing on our environmental impact and responsibility through a creative environmental campaign.
You can find out more about ‘Our Green Stories’ on The MERL and Reading Museum ‘Our Green Stories’ blogs
What you will be doing:
sharing information about our handling collection of historic objects
Activity will take place throughout 2023.
Community venue dates are TBC, but we will attend the following public festivals:
Saturday 13th May 2023 - Community Festival - Whiteknights campus, University of Reading
Saturday 10th June 2023 WaterFest - Forbury Gardens
Sunday 11th June 2023 - Whitley Parade
Sunday 25th June 2023 - East Reading Festival
Saturday 2nd September 2023 – Love Unites – Reading Pride
This role will suit you if you are able to:
What you will gain in return:
How much time will it take up?
You will form part of a team and as such there is no minimum expectation of the amount of time, but please note the dates of planned events, and activity will begin no earlier than April 2023. Shifts will be available to sign up for on our volunteering platform and on average volunteers attend for up to 5 hours, with breaks.
Who does the role report to?
Members of Reading Museum and The MERL take turns in leading the stall.
You will find out in advance who will be running the stall for each event.
To apply
New prospective volunteers - If you are not already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please register on our volunteering platform, ensuring you tick the box next to ‘Museums on Wheels’ in your ‘Interests’ before Friday 24th February 2023.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Museums on Wheels’ in your ‘Interests’ before Friday 24th February 2023.
Matching to the Role
To help us select our volunteers, we will look through all the application forms of those interested, and we will invite a limited number of those who most closely match our ideal requirements to an informal interview to discuss the role.
Object Encounters Volunteer
Location: The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) 
Why we want you:
To enhance the visitor experience, we’re looking for enthusiastic people with an interest in enthusing visitors of all ages in a ‘Mystery Object’ style Object Encounters session.
Along the way you’ll engage with visitors to explain the items’ significance and history. You will give visitors the opportunity to handle genuine items from our collections, under your close supervision.
Object handling activities need to be managed carefully. Objects might be damaged and visitors possibly injured if instructions are not followed. Sometimes you may need to keep reminding visitors, particularly younger ones, how objects can be safely touched and handled.
You’ll be willing to engage with a wide variety of members of the public and be understanding about a range of needs in a museum where we are inclusive and want everybody to feel welcomed.
What you will be doing:
You will attend a two hour training session led by our Learning & Engagement Manager to understand how to help visitors handle museum objects correctly. You will learn ways to show visitors what they can learn about our objects by holding them and looking closely.
Once you are trained, you will run Object Encounters sessions at the purpose-built object handling trolley situated in the museum galleries, or in the learning studio during busy school holiday periods.
This role will suit you if you are able to:
What you will gain in return:
How much time will it take up?
Shifts usually run for 2 hours either in the morning or the afternoon.
You can sign up on the volunteering platform for a regular two hour shift, choosing from a Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, or Sun.
We particularly welcome sessions during our busy school holidays, as this activity always proves popular.
Who does the role report to?
Training for the role is overseen by Phillippa Heath, Learning & Engagement Manager p.heath2@reading.ac.uk and supported by Volunteer Coordinator sheila.fisher@reading.ac.uk
To apply
New prospective volunteers - If you are not already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please register on our volunteering platform, ensuring you tick the box next to ‘Object Handling Session Volunteer’ in your ‘Interests’.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Object Handling Session Volunteer’.
Matching to the Role
To help us select our volunteers, we will look through all the application/ registration forms of those interested, and we will invite a limited number of those who most closely match our ideal requirements to a training session.
Oral History Summariser - ‘Reading’s Digital Revolution’ project
Location: Virtual Volunteering for Reading Museum.
Reading Museum is seeking volunteers to summarise oral history recordings which have been made during the ‘Reading’s Digital Revolution’ Project, which aims to document the story of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and the inception of the UK’s own Silicon Valley. No prior knowledge of history or oral histories is required. When complete, the summaries will be associated with the oral history recordings which will become part of the collections at either Reading Museum, or project partners, the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park.
Recordings range between 60 and 90 minutes and capture a wealth of DEC’s history.
Why we want you:
We hope to recruit a small team of volunteers to summarise a library of around 30 oral history recordings so that they can be taken into the permanent collections of Reading Museum and/ or partners The National Museum of Computing.
What volunteers will be doing:
Here is an example of a typical summary of a five minute recording:
You will need to have existing access to a laptop or desktop computer to fulfil the role in a remote capacity. You may also prefer to use headphones to listen to the audio.
Full training will be provided, and there will be support from Reading Museum for the duration of the role.
You will be allocated up to six recordings, and each summary generally takes around two days to complete. Therefore, the role will be flexible, but in any event, this project will finish on December 24th 2024.
The role will suit you if you:
What you will gain in return:
How much time will it take up?
We would appreciate if you could contribute an average of 3 or 4 days a month to the project.
Who does the role report to?
Kate Shrewsday, Reading’s Digital Revolution Project Officer, based at Reading Museum: kate.shrewsday@reading.gov.uk
To apply:
Please click on this link to the volunteering platform http://bttr.im/w2yev and complete your application by 9am on Tuesday 20th August 2024.
Please ensure you tick ‘Oral History Summariser - Reading’s Digital Revolution project’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My Profile, when registering.
Opportunities to carry out such tasks are few and far between, so you may not have had the chance to do this kind of thing before, so in your application, please tell us about any transferable skills you have that relate to such a task.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Existing volunteer / applicants on the waiting list
If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on ‘My Profile’, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Oral History Summariser - Reading’s Digital Revolution project’ by 9am on Tuesday 20th August 2024. Please update your ‘Additional info’ fields to reflect any experience and skills you have gained since you initially applied or joined the volunteering team.
Matching to the Role
We have six positions available for this volunteer role. We are fortunate to have perennial interest from prospective volunteers hoping to volunteer behind the scenes for fascinating projects such as this.
To help us select our project team, in the week ending 23 August 2024 we will look through all the application forms of those interested in this role, and draw up a shortlist of those who most closely match our ideal requirements.
As the second stage of the application process, we will invite a limited number of prospective volunteers to submit an example oral history summary of a ten minute video. You will be sent instructions to follow. You can see the oral history recording that you would be asked to summarise in the example exercise by clicking this link here.
We will then match the applicants to the six available positions.
If you are selected to join the project, you will be invited to attend an online kick-off meeting on Monday 9th September from 11:00 - 12:30 where you will be given further training and have a chance to ask any questions you might have and meet the rest of the project team. This meeting will be recorded if you are unable to attend in real time.
Using your photography skills to help us share pictures of our fabulous events and activities, and of course the buildings and collections too.
Rhymetime Volunteer
Location:
Reading Museum
We are flexible and work around other museum activities, so locations vary within the galleries such as the Windows gallery or the Silchester gallery
Volunteer Shift:
Rhymetime happens every Wednesday from 9.45am-11.30am. You don’t have to volunteer every single Wednesday but this role would suit someone who would like to attend regularly and get to know the popular songs!
Why we want you
Rhymetime sessions provide an amazing opportunity for children to learn popular childhood songs and stories along with their caregivers.
Led by a member of the museum team, this popular activity attracts 20-30 children each week, plus their accompanying adult care givers.
You will become part of the team to help ensure the smooth running of sessions.
These sessions allow children and adults to connect and build their confidence, while creating positive relationships with the museum environment, encouraging them to grow up as lovers of art, history and culture.
What you will be doing
This role will suit you if you are
What you will gain in return
How much time will it take up?
You will join a team of staff and volunteers
Wednesdays from 9.45am -11.30am. It is not essential to attend every week, you would just sign up for the shifts that suit your world. The volunteer shift includes set up and take down time. Visitors attend between 10:30 – 11:00am
What do I need to wear?
Smart casual wear – feel free to dress in bright colours if you like!
Who will I report to?
The overall supervisor of the role is Lucy Griffin (Visitor Services Officer)
The sessions are led by a member of the gallery team who will allocate tasks and support you on the day.
To apply
New prospective volunteers - If you are not already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please register on our volunteering platform, ensuring you tick the box next to ‘Rhymetime Volunteer’ in your ‘Interests’ by 9am on Monday 19 May 2025.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Rhymetime Volunteer’ by 9am on Monday 19 May 2025.
Matching to the Role
To help us select our volunteers, we will look through all the application/ registration forms of those interested, and we draw up a shortlist of those who most closely match our ideal requirements.
We will invite a limited number of prospective volunteers to shadow a session followed by a brief informal interview to discuss the role.
University Dairying History Research Volunteer – The MERL
Location: Volunteers will work in the Reading Room, which is based at The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading RG1 5EX.
Why we want you
As the University of Reading prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2026, The MERL is looking to recruit three volunteers who can undertake archival research into the history and scope of dairying practice and research at the University.
The volunteers will undertake independent research (with the Curator of MERL) in the Reading Room (based at The MERL), working through these records which are kept on our Open Access shelves.
You will explore different aspects of the University’s long and complex association with dairying practice, teaching, research, and communities. This research will enable the Museum team to understand the scope and range of the University’s dairying heritage and holdings, to better describe them, to identify strong running themes and microhistories, to select key collection items, to consider how these materials might be of relevance to dairying research today, and to give thought to future potential redisplay and digital exhibition content.
This role will begin on 9 June 2025. You will be taking part in scoping work to get a sense of what is contained within the large volume of material there is to explore. Therefore, timescales on completion are unclear, but work is likely to run through to Autumn 2025 and may carry on into 2026.
What you will be doing
What you will gain in return
This role will suit you if you have
This role might particularly appeal to you if you have
How much time will it take up?
This role best suits someone who can attend on Monday mornings from 9 June 2025 to work in the Reading Room.
There will be an initial session and further sessions on Monday mornings. It is hoped that volunteers will be able to share ideas and approaches with other volunteer researchers working on the same topic on Monday mornings.
There may be flexibility for them to attend and proceed with their self-led research on other days if needed. The post will be subject to running review in consultation with the Curator.
Who will I report to?
You will report to Dr Ollie Douglas, Curator of MERL, University of Reading.
Schedule:
In order to familiarise the volunteers with the resources that are available, the volunteers will be supervised by the Curator of MERL in the Reading Room in the first instance. They may have secondary supervision from the Collections Officer.
The volunteers will work with the Curator to explore the Diary collection of the library, the archives of the National Institute for Research in Dairying, as well as dairying and farm-related publications and journals:
Important:
Initial visits to the Reading Room will be booked via the Curator of MERL. The volunteers may be able to visit the Reading Room to undertake research on this project outside of the days listed above, but this will require discussion with the Curator and prior booking with the Reading Room team. This can be discussed during the first few sessions.
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by 9am on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘University Dairying History Research Volunteer (MERL)’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering by 9am on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Existing volunteers/ already registered your application - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘University Dairying History Research Volunteer (MERL)’ by 9am on Tuesday 20 May 2025
Matching to the role
We often find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies.
You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
A hard copy application form is available for those who are not confident in using computers or have limited digital access.
Please email VolunteeringHQ@reading.ac.uk and we can send you a Word application form which can be completed digitally, or printed and handed in.
If you are shortlisted for this role, we will be in touch directly soon after the closing date and invite you to an informal interview with Sheila Fisher (Museums Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator) and Ollie Douglas.
Untold Histories Research Volunteer - LGBTQ+ Stories in Reading Museum
Location: Reading Museum, with opportunities to do independent research from home.
What will you be doing?
Although they have often been forgotten or erased from mainstream history, LGBTQ+ people have always existed, and it is important that their stories are told.
This brand new project will help us explore our collections through an LGBTQ+ lens.
We aim to uncover and share untold histories within Reading Museum’s collection to highlight voices and perspectives which have historically been under-represented.
As part of this role you will:
We hope to offer a buddy system in which existing research volunteers share their experience in getting started into researching with our local collections
What will you get out of it?
This role will suit you if:
How much time will it take up?
Our preferred session time for in-person meet ups will be on a Monday afternoon every two weeks from Monday 6th November from 1.30 – 4.30pm (excluding January 1st!)
After the initial introductory sessions there may be opportunities to work remotely whilst carrying out independent research into your chosen objects and writing up your findings.
We expect that this project will run for three months initially.
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by midday on Friday 6th October.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Untold Histories Research Volunteer - LGBTQ+ Stories’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering*
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
We sometimes find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Untold Histories Research Volunteer - LGBTQ+ Stories’.
Matching to the role
If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to a 30-minute informal interview with the Collections Assistant and Sheila Fisher (Museum Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator) either in person or over Zoom, where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us any questions that you have.
We intend to hold the Project Kick Off meeting on Monday 6th November from 1.30pm – 4.30pm.
Untold Histories Research Volunteer - MERL Object Collection Records - Further Afield project 
Location: The reading room at The Museum of English Rural Life (ground floor) - Monday afternoons from 1pm to 4pm. We expect that this project will initially run for 7 weeks from 15 January 2024 to 26 February 2024
Why we want you:
Information about our object collection that was held on the object’s original accession file has not always been recorded in our computer database.
This means that certain information is not available to researchers when they are browsing our online catalogue.
Your aim is to search for references in the files that relates to people from underrepresented communities, which can then be added to our online collections catalogue. This will help us uncover previously untold stories.
What you will be doing:
You will be searching through our accession files. These files are the paper records kept when items were originally donated to the museum.
The accession files contain information about an object, or group of objects, such as donation information, letters, museum reference cards, photographs, drawings, as well as documentation about history and use.
The files are numbered with accession number and filed in order. The information is the basis for the computer database records, but not all the information has been transferred.
Supervisors will be on hand to help you understand the files, and suggest areas of untold histories or themes to focus on. You can also search shaped by your own interests.
Please be aware that when working on uncatalogued items you may discover some harmful content that you should highlight to the Project Supervisors. An example is an outdated racial term that was commonly used decades ago that would cause offence to modern researchers. As a result of uncovering this content, a ‘harmful content warning’ would then be placed on the file and the online catalogue to warn researchers.
Your findings will help us update our collections management database to make these stories far more accessible to researchers, which will in turn support future projects and learning.
You will be working in a small team of researchers alongside our Archive Re-packaging volunteers who will make new archival folders and re-pack the original accession file papers into the new files to help the files survive longer.
This role will suit you if you are:
What you will gain in return
Who will I report to?
Madeleine Ding, Collections Officer & Tim Jerrome, Collections Researcher
How much time will it take up?
Our preferred session time for in person meet ups will be on a Monday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm. We expect that this project will initially run for 7 weeks from 15 January 2024 to 26 February 2024.
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by midday on Monday 8 January 2024.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Untold Histories Research Volunteer - MERL Object Collection Records’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering*
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
We are looking for 3-4 volunteers for the Researcher role. Behind the scenes collections roles are very popular and we a fortunate to find that many more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies, so we are unable to accept all applicants. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Untold Histories Research Volunteer - MERL Object Collection Records’ by midday on Monday 8 January 2024.
Matching to the role
If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to first session on 15 January 2024.
Volunteer Role: Visitor Experience Researcher
Location: The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL), Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5EX
Why we want you
You will help visitors complete 5 minute surveys on behalf of the museum on iPads.
The feedback that you will gather will help the wider team continue to improve the visitor experience, and will be used in reports to key funding bodies, from the University of Reading to Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
You will receive full training and a comprehensive introduction to the Museum, its services and facilities.
What you will be doing
Greeting all museum visitors and researchers using the library and archives, in a welcoming and friendly manner
Approaching visitors to ask them about their experience at The MERL
Summarise any feedback that requires immediate action and report it to a member of staff to help us continue to improve the visitor experience
This role will suit you if you are
Confident and keen to approach and engage with visitors of all ages
Enthusiastic and polite
Self-motivated and pro-active
A good communicator
Able to work as part of a team
An opportunity to learn about visitor motivations in a heritage environment
The opportunity to assist and communicate with a friendly, diverse audience
Build your customer care, service and communication skills
Being part of a team and developing new contacts
How much time will it take up?
You can choose from our suggested shift times of 11am-2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.
This role is available on a rota, and you may like to sign up to volunteer once a week.
This can be flexible, as volunteers will help throughout the month.
You are welcome to take a break to eat lunch
Who does the role report to?
Angela Brown - Retail & Visitor Services Supervisor
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form here on our volunteering platform.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘MERL Visitor Experience Researcher’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering.
Matching to the role
If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to a 30-minute informal interview with a member of the team and Sheila Fisher (Museum Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator) via Zoom, where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us some questions.
Visitor Feedback Analysis Volunteer
Location: The Museum of English Rural Life
Role description
Why do we want you?
You will analyse visitor feedback to help The MERL identify areas of success within the visitor experience and identify areas where visitor satisfaction could be improved.
What will you be doing?
Typing up handwritten comments from The MERL’s visitor book and presenting the comments in a searchable document that helps the museum better understand strengths and weaknesses in visitor experience.
You will analyse your findings and present them in a format that is easy to understand for the senior leadership team.
This role would suit you if you
What you will gain in return
How much time will it take up
There are several books that need typing up and analysing, so we suggest this role would suit someone who could donate 2-3 hrs per week.
If you have access to a laptop or PC you are welcome to carry out this role at home.
Alternatively, we can arrange for you to work at a laptop at The Museum of English Rural Life at a mutually convenient time during the Monday-Friday working week.
Who does this role report to?
Isabel Hughes, Associate Director, Head of Curatorial and Public Engagement
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by 9am on Tuesday 10 June 2025.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Visitor Feedback Analysis Volunteer’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering by 9am on Tuesday 10 June 2025 .
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Existing volunteers/ already registered your application - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Visitor Feedback Analysis Volunteer’ by 9am on Tuesday 10 June 2025
Matching to the role
We often find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies.
You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
A hard copy application form is available for those who are not confident in using computers or have limited digital access.
Please email VolunteeringHQ@reading.ac.uk and we can send you a Word application form which can be completed digitally, or printed and handed in.
If you are shortlisted for this role, we will be in touch directly soon after the closing date and invite you to by an informal interview with Sheila Fisher (Museums Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator) and Isabel Hughes (Head of Curatorial and Public Engagement), where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us some questions.
Visual Merchandising and Digi Shop Volunteer - Reading Museum
Role Description
Location: Reading Museum
Why we want you:
What you will be doing:
You will join our Visitor Services Officer, Deputy Visitor Services Officer and Receptionist on a Monday between 10am and 1pm (and/ or potentially at other points in the week if agreed) to assist with the following tasks aimed at maximising retail sales – the funding from which helps support the museum’s activities:
You will receive full-training and will be supported by the Visitor Services officer and Deputy Visitor Services Officer.
A rest break will be arranged mid-shift.
This role will suit you if you are:
What you will gain in return
How much time will it take up?
This volunteering opportunity is for 12 weeks from September until late December on Mondays from 10:00 to 13:00.
You will get the most out of the placement if you are able to attend as many sessions as possible during that time. However, we realise that you may have some prior commitments/ appointments in the 12 week period.
The museum itself is closed to visitors on Mondays, but the shop and Town Hall reception remains open to customers.
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by midday on Thursday 14th September. *Please ensure you tick ‘Visual Merchandising and Digi Shop Volunteer - RM’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
We sometimes find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant
information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to 'Visual Merchandising and Digi Shop Volunteer - RM’ by midday on Thursday 14th September.
Matching to the role
If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to a 30-minute informal interview with a member of the Reading Museum team and Sheila Fisher (Museum Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator), ideally in person, where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us some questions.
MERL Visitor Welcome Volunteer
Location: The Museum of English Rural Life
Supporting the Front of House team in the Visitor Welcome area
*We are particularly looking for volunteers who can help on our busy weekend days.*
MERL Visitor Welcome Volunteer
Role Description
Why we want you
Suitable for volunteers who are 18 years old and over.
What you will be doing
You can take a rest break mid-shift
This role will suit you if you are:
What you will gain in return
How much time will it take up?
Shifts will be from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 13:00 to 16:00 on days we are open to the public (Tuesday to Sunday).
This role is available on a rota, and you may like to sign up to volunteer once a week.
This can be flexible, as volunteers will help throughout the month.
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform and ensure you tick the box next to ‘MERL Visitor Welcome' by 23:59 on Mon 31 March 2025.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, please use this link
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Matching to the role
I
We often find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies.
We expect to receive a lot of interest for this position.
You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
A hard copy application form is available for those who are not confident in using computers or have limited digital access. Please email VolunteeringHQ@reading.ac.uk and we can send you a Word application form which can be completed digitally, or printed and handed in.
If you are shortlisted for this role, we will invite you to an informal interview with a member of the team and the Museum Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator, where you can have an opportunity to tell us more about your interests and experience, and ask us some questions.
Visitor Welcome Volunteer
Location: Reading Museum
Role description
*We are particularly looking for volunteers who can help at weekends*
Suitable for volunteers who are 18 years and over.
Why we want you?
You will help our gallery team to provide an exceptional welcome to visitors.
You will support staff in welcoming visitors and generating income for the Museum.
You will also encourage visitors to complete surveys, or interview visitors about their visit to the Museum
We are looking for confident and friendly individuals who have the skills and personality to promote the museum whilst providing an excellent welcome experience for our visitors.
What does a Visitor Welcome volunteer do?
This role will suit you if you are:
What will you gain in return?
How much time will you need to give?
Suggested shifts are 10:00 to 13:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 on days we are open to the public (Tuesday to Saturday and some Sundays).
This role is available on a rota, and you may like to sign up to volunteer once a week. This can be flexible, as volunteers will help throughout the month, and it doesn't need to be a set day.
Who does the role report to?
Visitor Services Officer – Lucy.Griffin@reading.gov.uk
To apply
Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform.
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Visitor Welcome Volunteer (Reading Museum)’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Matching to the role
We often find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies.
You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
A hard copy application form is available for those who are not confident in using computers or have limited digital access.
Please email VolunteeringHQ@reading.ac.uk and we can send you a Word application form which can be completed digitally, or printed and handed in.
If you are shortlisted for this role, we will be in touch directly soon after the closing date and invite you to by an informal interview with Sheila Fisher (Museums Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator) and Lucy Griffin (Visitor Services Officer), where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us some questions.
Making running and permanent repairs to replica historic costumes, and general support to Costumed Interpreters including helping them to dress in their many layers ready for the public events.
One of the major aims of the partnership between The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) and Reading Museum, is to offer volunteering opportunities to the local community to improve wellbeing, connect people to their personal histories and identities, and get to know more about Reading's rich cultural heritage.
