Hunters and Gathers Volunteer (DofE Volunteering)

Data Hunter Volunteer, Winchester / Story Gather Volunteer, Remote (DofE Opportunity)

(Minimum age of 16 years of age. Please ensure to make clear on your application that you are applying to the DofE opportunity) 

Number of Opportunities:

2-3 opportunities

Location:

Chilcomb House, Winchester / Remote Opportunity

Commitment:

(Flexibility Available – We’ll be happy to discuss irregular or volunteering at certain time in the year to work around you)

Opportunity Lead:

Sam Butcher, Project Manager

Volunteer Leadership:

N/A

 

Are you interested in looking after Hampshire’s history and getting hands-on experience with collections?

As a data hunter volunteer you could find yourself working with our skilled collections team in Winchester to document, catalogue and record our extensive collection of 2 million objects. Using your dedicated collections care and object handling training you will take part in our Data Hunters game alongside your fellow volunteers.

 As a story gather volunteer you could find yourself researching and collecting stories through our collections and historic objects as well as important local histories. These stories will then be brought to life through our strategic programming in venue. This role can be fully remote.

What to expect :

Our volunteer roles are designed to be tailored around you, your interests and your skills. Some of the things you could be up to include:

  • You will take part in the Documentation Challenge where you will be tasked with updating the data on the objects your team successfully hunted. Beat the other teams by scoring points. 
  • Working with the key communities across our locations to gather varied histories and stories that make up our county, working with the programmes team to bring to life these stories in exhibitions. Working with our collections management team to catalogue, transcribe and coordinate our collections using our specialist system (MODS).
  •  Work with our collections management team to monitor and care for our varied collections across a specialist area or generally across all disciplines.
  • Working with the venue manager, in line with the venue’s collections care plan, to conduct collections care activities on exhibitions within the venue.
  • Guide, mentor and support other volunteers (younger and neurodiverse) to develop, grow and learn alongside the venue team. 

This is of course not exhaustive as your volunteering will evolve around you and your skillsets. Full training, guidance and support will be provided. 

Skills and Experience :

Ideally, to be comfortable in this volunteer role we think you will need to have:

  • An appreciation and awareness of the delicate nature of our collections – Essential.
  • An ability to comply with clear instructions and health and safety requirements – Essential.
  • You must be comfortable with manual and often physical activities. Any existing knowledge or experience is hugely beneficial.

As a result of volunteering in this role you will get:

  • The chance to bring to life exciting exhibitions and memorable experiences. Experience in working with collections and exposure to behind the scenes of cultural management.
  • The chance to work with and handle our historic cultural collection of nearly 2 million objects.
  • Training in collections care and object handling
  • The chance to support an innovative trail around collections management in a new way.
  • A variety of volunteer benefits including free access to all HCT venues Looking to get stuck into something practical? Use your hands-on skills to make a huge impact on culture!
  • Full training for all aspects of the role will be provided.

Full training for all aspects of the role will be provided.

 Expectations:

We expect professionalism from all who are representatives of Hampshire Cultural Trust. Whilst conducting your role or any activity that may be considered to represent the Trust, you are expected to uphold our values and standards, working in alignment with our policies and expectations of conduct.

Values:

Our values are very important to us, and we expect all volunteers, staff, and everyone we work with to abide by these when representing HCT and working with us:

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We have the courage to aim high and think differently

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We are imaginative, resourceful and flexible in what we do and how we do it

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We aspire to the highest standards in everything we do

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We are all responsible for the success of the trust, as individuals and together

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Through working collaboratively, we inspire our people to make their best contribution, share knowledge and celebrate our achievements

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We are considerate, respectful and understand each other’s similarities and differences

 

We are committed to promoting equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference.  We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work. We aim to be inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve and seeks to engage.