We are looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to join our team.
Explore your interests, meet new people, gain experience and get involved in our vibrant community as a volunteer with The Wilson, Art Gallery and Museum.
Our volunteers are central in the delivery of our collections, public events and community engagement.
Here at The Wilson, volunteers can be found inspiring children and families at our creative learning workshops, transcribing written materials from the collection, supporting visitors to our exhibitions as invigilators in the galleries, and much more.
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and no prior knowledge is required, just an enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
What’s involved?
- Welcoming visitors into our gallery spaces
- Sharing knowledge with visitors on current displays and histories within our collection
- Contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of the exhibitions
- Support in the delivery of events and workshops
- Cataloguing and assisting collection curators
- Support the smooth running and maintenance of the Museum Takeaway Loans Service
We aim to provide an enriching and rewarding experience for our volunteers and encourage them to find areas they enjoy working in. We value the time our volunteers give, and only ask that they partake in two gallery shifts per month so that we can keep our doors open and share our wonderful collections and exhibitions with the public.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Learn about our collections, exhibitions and the history of Cheltenham and it’s people.
- Support a charitable organisation that delivers free activities, events and learning opportunities in the community.
- Gain new skills and experience for your CV
- Be a part of a fantastic team of volunteers, as well as the wider Wilson community
- Share your passion and enthusiasm with the public
- One free drink every shift worked (choice of soft drink, teas and coffees)
- One free meal per full day of shifts (sandwiches, bagels, pretzel rolls, soup, pasties, sausage rolls etc.)
- Benefit from discounts on other trust events as defined by the trust’s ticket policy across venues
- 20% discount at trust cafes (excluding alcohol)
- £10 a year staff membership offer at Leisure at Cheltenham
How to Apply
Please use the application form on this page to apply to our Volunteer Programme at The Wilson.
Once this is complete, you will be welcomed in for an informal interview to learn more about day-to-day volunteer tasks and ensure that the role is right for you.
Referees will be checked, and then successful volunteer applicants will then be inducted into the role, with support from staff and experienced volunteers to ensure they are confident to begin their role as a volunteer at The Wilson.
We believe in equality and diversity at the Wilson and encourage volunteers from all sections of the community. We hope you will consider applying to become a volunteer at The Wilson, helping us to achieve our vision to continue to provide free activities, events and learning opportunities in the community.
For any further enquiries, please contact volunteer@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
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Mission Statement
The Cheltenham Trust is the lead provider of culture and leisure in Cheltenham and is an independent charity. It manages five iconic and contemporary venues that are owned by Cheltenham Borough Council; Pittville Pump Room and the Heritage Deco Cafe, The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, Cheltenham Town Hall and the Garden Bar Orangery, Leisure at Cheltenham and the Prince of Wales stadium.
As the guardian of much of the town’s heritage The Cheltenham Trust has a major role in sustaining and improving these important, historic venues and ensuring that they are significant visitor destinations. Through its diverse range of cultural and leisure services, many of which are provided free, the Trust’s vision is to actively contribute to the local and visitor economy and to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community.
The Wilson is Gloucestershire’s premier art gallery and museum. Home to an internationally significant museum collection of exceptional quality and variety, changing displays of our Designated Arts and Crafts Movement collection, fine art collections, and The Open Archive, which houses our fascinating archives relating to Antarctic explorer Edward A. Wilson, Cheltenham’s history, and the Emery Walker Library. We’re home to the Sir Charles Irving Community Art Gallery, Summerfield Exhibition Gallery, and brand-new World of Wonders children’s gallery.
Our Objectives
- To achieve financial sustainability through a blend of culture, community and commercial activities
- To ensure all our venues are go to visitor destinations supporting the local and visitor economy, accessible to all
- That the heritage and history of Cheltenham is promoted and showcased and is accessible to all
- That The Cheltenham Trust is a credible and reputable organisation
- That The Cheltenham Trust is an employer of choice for staff, volunteers and trustees
- That The Cheltenham Trust grows and improves through its engagement with staff, trustees, stakeholders and customers
What we provide
The Cheltenham Trust provides a diverse range of culture, arts, heritage, entertainment, leisure and sport across its venues. It provides a blend of paid for and free activities and all its venues are accessible to all. Through commercial activities and grant funding secured it provides a programme of free and participative events in its outdoor spaces for the community and visitors to the town to enjoy.
