Bradford Museums and Galleries

Audience Research Visiteers

Across all four museums and galleries

Why does BMG need this research?

• to enable wider and more diverse audiences to engage with our collections and the research that lies behind them.

Understanding our audiences is integral to enhancing access to the museums and collections. This audience research allows us to get to know who our visitors are, where they come from, and what their motivations for visiting are. We can also learn more about who is not currently visiting the museums. The data in turn provides the structure and direction for future work and allows BMG to respond to what our visitors want and how to attract new audiences

BMG wishes to conduct exit interviews with museum visitors. Within these the opening hours of each museum. There will be shifts available, on weekdays and weekends. We are looking for volunteers to deliver the interviews in an engaging, positive and meaningful way.

What’s in it for you?
• Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team
• Volunteering in a beautiful historic environment
• Meeting people and making new friends
• Improving your communication skills
• Enjoying new experiences
• Great personal satisfaction, since you have the opportunity to make a real

Make a difference to our visitors’ experience

What’s Involved?

volunteers will be expected to conduct exit interviews with members of the public. This will include engaging and proactively approaching visitors

· Information and feedback from visitors will be recorded by the volunteer on paper following a consistent and structured method.

· Volunteers to remain professional and positive in their approach to the market research activity and understand that they may be seen by the public as representing the museums

· Volunteers will be welcomed into the museums and will be expected to conduct the market research activity alongside the Front-of-House team.

· The Volunteer Co-Ordinator will make visits throughout and will be available for support and troubleshooting

· On a day-to-day basis, volunteers to report to Front-of-house staff on arrival and departure, signing in at reception and collecting their lanyard/paperwork.

You will receive an induction necessary to the role including full health and safety. All short-listed applicants will be required to attend a short, informal interview.

This role will suit people who:

• Have a friendly and enthusiastic manner. This role can sometimes be physically demanding and you may be on your feet all day.
• Volunteers from all backgrounds and experience are welcome, especially those who have an interest in working in the Museum and Heritage Sector or market research
• feel comfortable coming into contact with and communicating with members of the public
• are able to communicate with a variety of audiences and a good listener.
• Much of the time you will be working unsupervised, while also representing the museum to members of the public
• have good interpersonal skills
• can follow instructions and safety procedures
• are keen to learn
• work well with others in a team
• are reliable, trustworthy and punctual
• are willing to abide by the Council's code of conduct for volunteers and staff

Responsible to:

Volunteer Coordinator and museum Front-of-house staff.

Expenes: Travel costs between home and volunteering

When:  Tues – Fri 10am – 3pm and Sun 11am – 3pm

Let us know your preferred day/s and museum

Visiteers role

Mill Manager’s House

Bradford Industrial Museum, Eccleshill

We are seeking to recruit a team of volunteer ‘welcomers’ to support visitors at this historic home at the Industrial Museum in Bradford.

What’s in it for you?
• Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team
• Volunteering in a significant heritage site
• Meeting people and making new friends
• Improving your communication skills
• Enjoying new experiences
• Great personal satisfaction, since you have the opportunity to make a real             difference to our visitors’ experience

What’s Involved?

• Providing a warm, friendly welcome to all visitors as the public face of
  Bradford Museums and Galleries, answering any questions.
• ensure respectful behaviour and maintain a fun, welcoming atmosphere for all our visitors and their children.
• Becoming familiar with and then following the Bradford Museums and Galleries Values & Behaviours’

Training will be provided to help ease visiteers into their role as well as implementing an intergenerational and cross cultural approach with current volunteers. There will also be scope for volunteers to take on leadership positions such as team leaders and supervisors which we will encourage and support.

You will receive an induction necessary to the role including full health and safety. All short-listed applicants will be required to attend a short, informal interview.

This role will suit people who:

have a friendly and enthusiastic manner and enjoy working with family visitors in particular. This role can sometimes be physically demanding and you may be on your feet all day.

• feel comfortable coming into contact with and communicating with members of the public
• have good interpersonal skills
• can follow instructions and safety procedures
• are keen to learn
• work well with others in a team
• are reliable, trustworthy and punctual
• are willing to abide by the Council's code of conduct for volunteers and staff
• are resident in the UK or in possession of a suitable visa for study or work

Expenses: Travel costs between home and volunteering place will be offered.

When:  Tues – Fri 10am – 3pm and Sun 11am – 3pm Let us know your chosen day/s.

Responsible to:

Volunteer Coordinator and museum Front-of-house staff.

Family Learning Volunteer Role Description

Would you like to support our programmes for families?

We are looking for volunteers to support the museum’s sessions for families who visit us. If you enjoy working with people of all ages, and if you are friendly and reliable, we would love to hear from you.

Volunteer with us and support our family visitors to have an enjoyable and memorable experience in museums. This role will suit volunteers with an interest in education, and an enthusiasm to connect children, families with museums, art, and heritage. Gain hands-on experience working with visitors in a museum environment alongside our friendly Family Learning team.

Responsibilities

You will have the opportunity to volunteer across all four museum sites, including Bolling Hall, Industrial Museum, Cartwright Hall and Cliffe Castle.

Daily responsibilities:

• Welcome and assist family groups during their visit, guiding them to age-appropriate activities. Visits may include interactive and creative sessions, exploration of exhibition galleries, and designated play and rest areas.
• Collaborate with Families facilitators in setting up and dismantling sessions, providing support during activity delivery.
• Encourage feedback and evaluation from educators and parents to aid program evaluation.

Requirements

This role will suit someone who:

• Possesses communication skills and a warm, engaging approach to interact with families and children.
• Has a keen interest in developing new skills and knowledge, contributing to the educational growth of children and their families.
• Is comfortable working independently and collaboratively, maintaining awareness of security, health and safety, and safeguarding practices.

Time commitment

Family visits occur between 10:00 – 16:00 on Tuesday to Sunday when the museums are open our family events run in the school holidays and are delivered 11am to 3pm.

• Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular session, at least 1 day per school holiday.
• Specify your preferred days of the week, and your preferred museum sites – Bradford Industrial Museum, Cartwright Hall, Bolling Hall, Cliffe Castle.  It’s worth noting that all the Museums are closed on a Monday and Bolling Hall is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Family Learning Volunteers are required to undergo an induction and be willing to complete a basic DBS check.

Training

Receive training from our Families team on effective communication and health and safety procedures, including safeguarding as well as what make Family Learning different to other kinds of learning experiences.

What you can expect

We offer:

• Experience working in a museum environment, developing knowledge of family education in a cultural setting.
• Opportunities to develop new skills and gain work-based experience as part of a dynamic team.
• Engaging with children and families of different ages and abilities.

Support provided:

▪ Full induction and training

▪ Ongoing support from supervisors

▪ Travel expenses reimbursed (up to £5 per day of volunteering)

Interested?

To Apply Follow this link  http://myimpactpage.com/

Early Years Volunteer Role 

Would you like to support our programmes for the early years? We are looking for volunteers to support the museum’s sessions for children up to 5 years old. If you enjoy working with children, and if you are friendly and reliable we would love to hear from you.

Volunteer with us and support our youngest visitors to have an enjoyable and memorable experience in museums. This role will suit volunteers with an interest in early years education, and an enthusiasm to connect children with museums, art, and heritage. Gain hands-on experience working with children in a museum environment alongside our friendly Early Years team.

Responsibilities

You will have the opportunity to volunteer across all four museum sites, including Bolling Hall, Industrial Museum, Cartwright Hall and Cliffe Castle.

Daily responsibilities:

• Welcome and assist early years groups during their visit, guiding them to age-appropriate activities. Visits may include interactive and creative sessions, exploration of exhibition galleries, and designated play and rest areas.
• Collaborate with Early Years facilitators in setting up and dismantling sessions, providing support during activity delivery.
• Encourage feedback and evaluation from educators and parents to aid program evaluation.

Requirements

This role will suit someone who:

• Possesses communication skills and a warm, engaging approach to interact with children in early years.
• Has a keen interest in developing new skills and knowledge, contributing to the educational growth of children.
• Is comfortable working independently and collaboratively, maintaining awareness of security, health and safety, and safeguarding practices.

Time commitment

Early years visits occur between 10:00 – 16:00 on Tuesday to Saturday.

• Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular weekly session, at least 1 day per month.
• Specify your preferred days of the week, and your preferred museum sites – Bradford Industrial Museum, Cartwright Hall, Bolling Hall, Cliffe Castle.

Early Years Learning Volunteers are required to undergo an induction and be willing to complete a basic DBS check.

Training

Receive training from our Early Years team on effective communication with young children and health and safety procedures, including safeguarding.

What you can expect

We offer:

• Experience working in a museum environment, developing knowledge of early years education in a cultural setting.
• Opportunities to develop new skills and gain work-based experience as part of a dynamic team.
• Engaging with children and families of different ages and abilities.

Support provided:

▪ Full induction and training

▪ Ongoing support from supervisors

▪ Travel expenses reimbursed (up to £5 per day of volunteering)

Interested

To apply follow this link : http://myimpactpage.com/ 

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Café Volunteer

Volunteers to support us in the Refreshment Room Café at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Lister Park.

Responsibilities

• To work under the supervision of museum café staff
• To create a warm, friendly welcome to the café
• To serve food and drink
• To take cash payment and give change
• To keep the café clean and tidy throughout the days service e.g. clear and wipe tables
• To work according to agreed food hygiene and health and safety guidelines

Training and support

You will be given a full induction to the site and training by a member of staff in all aspects of the role. Aprons, gloves and all necessary equipment will be provided. The Catering Manager will be working with you and will be in a position of responsibility for your work.

This is a great role if you are interested in a career in catering/hospitality in a cultural building. Level 2 and 3 food hygiene training can often be provided.

Person specification

This role is suitable for people who:

• Are interested in supporting Cartwright Hall Art Gallery
• Enjoy communicating with members of the public
• Have good interpersonal skills
• Can follow instructions and safety procedures
• Are keen to learn and are willing to receive specialist training  
• Work well with others in a team
• Are reliable, trustworthy and punctual
• Are willing to abide by our code of conduct for volunteers

This role can sometimes be physically demanding and you may be on your feet all day.

What’s in it for you?

• Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team
• Volunteering in a significant heritage site
• Meeting people and making new friends
• Improving your communication skills
• Enjoying new experiences
• Great personal satisfaction, since you have the opportunity to make a real difference to our visitors’ experienceWilling

Abide by the Council’s code of conduct for volunteers and staff

Expenses: out-of-pocket travel costs between home and volunteering place will be offered.

When:  Tues – Fri 10am – 3pm and Sat & Sun 11am – 3pm. Let us know your chosen day/s.

Responsible to:

Volunteer Coordinator and museum café staff.

How to apply:

Please follow the link to apply http://myimpactpage.com/  

Volunteer Blacksmith

Bradford Industrial Museum

Reviving the Blacksmith’s craft in a living setting

A working forge

At Bradford Industrial Museum, we have revived the blacksmith’s craft within its original setting and created a living forge. We demonstrate the blacksmithing skills and techniques that would have been used by the mill blacksmiths, and others like them, the world over.

Bradford Industrial Museum is a living museum, supported by staff and volunteers. The building dates to the mid 1800’s. The museum is local authority run. The museum celebrates blacksmithing and the building’s industrial history. Linking 19th century trade to 21st century, hands-on demonstration.  Our dedicated blacksmith volunteers their time to teach the public about the art and history of blacksmithing.

Interested volunteers must be willing to talk and interact with the public and be able to follow safety guidelines.

Principal tasks:

Ensure the forge area is maintained in a clean and safe condition

Maintain adequate stocks of coke and steel

Regularly assess that the selling price of items covers the cost of materials used

Advise museum staff and volunteers of best practice in dealing with visitor queuing at the forge

Develop new 'products' that visitors can purchase in the museum shop

Demonstrate forging and blacksmith techniques to members of the public, especially to children/schools

Prepare estimates for enquires received for bespoke ironwork

Health & Safety

Be fully aware of, and operate, all relevant health & safety requirements.

Responsible for:

Your own safety and those around you

Comply fully with the Health and Safety Policy and procedures of the Industrial Museum and the Health and Safety Officer in conducting occasional risk assessments.

Requirements

A friendly nature who is comfortable with chatting to visitors and educating them on the heritage skill of blacksmithing in general.

Under the general supervision of and reporting to the Volunteer Coordinator and Visitor Services staff, the Blacksmith is responsible for interpreting blacksmithing through explanation as a timed demonstration for public programming, education/group tours and special events.

Hours/Days of Work: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Wednesday and Sunday

Maintenance Responsibilities:

Monitor and report all building issues to visitor services staff or the Volunteer Coordinator.

Oversee and implement the cleaning and set up of the forge.

Monitor and coordinate supplies required for daily public and special events programming.

Assist in repair of heritage tools and equipment.

Coordinate appropriate “Made in the Museum” products for sale in the museum shop in conjunction with the Manager of Visitor Services and Business staff.  

General Responsibilities

Support museum vision, mission, and programming initiatives.

Support museum initiatives.

Ensure the safety of visitors and staff and protect the site's resources.

Building (forge) set-up, cleaning, and maintenance.

Coordination of all materials required for Blacksmith Forge demonstrations and projects.

Qualifications:

Physical requirements of the position include the ability to lift and carry 20-30lbs, ability to walk and navigate cobble paths and uneven surfaces, ability to work in an environment with air pollutants (pollens, dust, and wood smoke), ability to tolerate exposure to inclement and severe weather.

Ability to communicate and to interpret effectively to large numbers of people of various ages and backgrounds.

Ability to wear historical costumes and adhere to guidelines regarding lanyards, jewelry, safety boots, aprons.

Ability to foster and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, volunteers and other staff.

Contributes to a positive team environment within own department and organisation.

All staff/volunteers will work in a safe manner in accordance with Bradford Council Health and Safety regulations.

Volunteer - Print

Bradford Industrial Museum

What’s Involved?

• To have the necessary experience to safely carry out printing activities in the print gallery.
• To work with other print volunteers and the lead print volunteer, under the supervision of museum staff
• To maintain and operate the presses according to instructions.
• To carry out these tasks according to agreed health and safety guidelines
• To welcome all visitors to the print gallery and give information and answer questions as appropriate.

Volunteering times will be Tuesday to Sunday, 11am – 3pm.

Let us know which day you prefer.

What’s in it for you?             

• Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team
• Volunteering in a beautiful historic environment
• Meeting people and making new friends
• Improving your communication skills
• Enjoying new experiences
• Great personal satisfaction since you can make a real difference to our visitors’ experience.

Support provided: ▪ Full induction and training ▪ Ongoing support from supervisors.

▪ Travel expenses reimbursed (up to £5 per day of volunteering)

Or apply  via the link http://myimpactpage.com/ 

Bolling Hall Community Library

If you love working with people and have a half or full day to spare each week, why not become a volunteer at Bolling Hall Community Library? Bradford Libraries offer a wide range of services including, books, free use of computers and the internet, information, activities and events for people of all ages. As a volunteer at Bolling Hall you would join a volunteer team working to deliver a library service that compliments and enriches the visitor experience at the museum.

Volunteers at Bolling Hall will support by:

• A warm welcome into the library
• Fun and educational activity packs for all ages that enrich the museum visitor experience
• Assistance in borrowing, returning and reserving books
• Help to get online
• Help to access information using books, IT and council resources
• Storytime, Rhyme times and children’s events
• A brilliant, well-presented range of books and reading materials
• Local and Family history
• Clubs, activities and events for people of all ages
• Support to improve health and wellbeing
• Promotion of the library service in the local area

This opportunity will suit you if:

• You are friendly, helpful and have great people skills
• You have an enthusiasm for books, learning and local history
• You have basic IT skills and can use the internet
• You can communicate well with others, in person and in writing
• You are open to training and learning new skills
• At this library, fluency in a community language would be an asset

Volunteering times are:

Wednesday to Friday 10am – 4pm Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm.

This role is part of Bradford District Library Service and travel expenses cannot be reimbursed

21 June 2025 – 14 September 2025

Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley

Travel back in time at this British Museum Partnership Exhibition with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and encounter works of art dating back thousands of years.

This visually stunning exhibition shows how artistic creativity existed thousands of years ago, as an essential part of human life.

As ambassadors for Bradford’s diverse, cosmopolitan, and creative districts, you represent everything that makes the Bradford District a great place to be.

From Bingley to Barkerend, Ilkley to Idle, Keighley to Clayton, Menston to Manningham and all the wonderful areas in between, This is your time. Your place!

As a BD25 BMG volunteer, you’re a part of something bigger! A sense of pride, a wave of joy and an integral part of delivering fantastic arts, culture and heritage events in your communities means you will be representing the district at its absolute best.

Thank you for contributing your skills, energy and time to celebrate the districts culture, in all its forms! Most of all, we hope you have fun, that you experience something new, and that you meet great friends along the way.

About the role:

• Assist the BD25/BMG staff teams at events.
• Engage and proactively approach visitors to gain feedback for evaluation purposes.
• Ensure proper behaviour in the gallery to maintain a warm, fun, welcoming atmosphere for all our visitors and their children.
• Assist in event setup.
• Providing information through maps/programmes and flyers.
• Answering any questions visitors may have.
• Providing accurate directions.
• Offer additional assistance and information as required.
• Be able to speak confidently about the brief for BD25 and the reasons Bradford is so unique.
• In depth knowledge of the programme.
• Other opportunities as agreed.

What you will bring to the team:

• Be passionate about the Bradford District and its role as the City of Culture for 2025.
• Be physically able to lift, carry and clean event spaces.
• Enjoy working with people from all backgrounds.
• Great knowledge of the local area and facilities.
• Knowledge of additional and accessibility needs visitors may have.
• Be approachable and confident when speaking to people.
• Enjoy working as part of a team.
• Be reliable and able to follow instructions.

Our commitment to you:

• We will offer the essential training you need with opportunities to do additional training.
• We will value your time and won’t demand a minimum time commitment.
• You will receive agreed out-of-pocket expenses, reimbursed within our guidelines.
• You will receive supervision from the volunteer team who will ensure you enjoy your time with us and you are given suitable tasks.

Museum Enhancer Role

Bolling Hall Museum

Can you volunteer in the museum on both floors/welcoming visitors /looking after the warm space. Generally, support to the visitor services team of two or three members of staff?

About the volunteer role:

• Assist the team in the museum
• Engage and proactively approach visitors to gain feedback for evaluation purposes.
• Ensure proper behaviour in the museum to maintain a warm, fun, welcoming atmosphere for all our visitors and their children.
• Assist in event setup.
• Providing information through maps/programmes and flyers.
• Answering any questions visitors may have.
• Providing accurate directions.
• Offer additional assistance and information as required.
• Be able to speak confidently about the museum.
• Other opportunities as agreed.

What you will bring to the team:

• Be passionate about Bradford Museums and its role in the City of Culture for 2025.
• Enjoy working with people from all backgrounds.
• Great knowledge of the local area and facilities.
• Be approachable and confident when speaking to people.
• Enjoy working as part of a team.
• Be reliable and able to follow instructions.

Our commitment to you:

• We will offer the essential training you need with opportunities to do additional training.
• We will value your time and appreciate at least one day a week, 11am to 3pm.
• You will receive agreed travel expenses, reimbursed within our guidelines, of up to £5 per day and free hot drinks.
• You will receive supervision from the visitor services and volunteer teams who will ensure you enjoy your time with us and you are given suitable tasks.

Art UK Tagging for Bradford Museums and Galleries

Art UK currently has 1,350 records of Bradford District Museums and Galleries’ artwork on their database. 

https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/tagger/add/view_as/grid/search/2025--keyword:bradford-museums-and-galleries

Art UK invites volunteers to become ‘taggers’ who ‘tag’ artwork with descriptive words and also review other people’s ‘tags’.  

We will signpost our volunteers who want to explore our art collection and/or do a remote/online task so they can ‘tag’ our art and sculpture or review other people’s ‘tags’ of our artwork.

This task is highly beneficial to our service meaning that more of our artwork is visible to the public when tagged with descriptive words.