Volunteering

Get Involved! - in a range of exciting opportunities as a volunteer

Volunteers contribute to museums and galleries in many different ways, from engaging directly with visitors to working behind the scenes with object displays, family events and collections care teams. They help to provide valuable services that we would not otherwise be able to provide.

Could you support our work by sponsoring, donating or volunteering? All opportunities have flexible commitment requirements and aim to provide a rewarding and enriching experience for all.

Corporate Volunteering

Share your team, resources and expertise

Many businesses offer their employees an opportunity to volunteer in work time.

This is known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Employer Supported Volunteering and it can include fundraising for a group or even sharing expertise, resources and volunteering.

It can be a great way to support your civic museums/galleries and give your staff a rewarding and fulfilling experience in beautful, unique spaces. Staff can volunteer independently or as part of a volunteer workplace scheme. It could be as part of a team away day or team building experience with colleagues.

Talk to us if your business or group would like to volunteer or if your organisation could benefit from business volunteering.

Sonja Kielty, Volunteer Co-Ordinator, Libraries, Museums and Galleries [email protected]  t: 01274 436027

 


Audience Research Volunteer

Bradford Museums and Galleries - Bolling Hall Museum

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 visitors to Bolling Hall Museum. There will be morning and afternoon 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 difference to our visitors’ experience

What’s Involved?

BMG wishes to conduct exit interviews with museum visitors. Within a six month period we would like to speak to around 350 of our visitors.

There will be morning and afternoon shifts available, on weekdays and weekends. We are looking for volunteers to deliver the interviews in an engaging, positive and meaningful way.

  • 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 other members of museum staff.
  • The Volunteer Supervisor will make visits throughout the project 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.

This role will suit people who:

Have a friendly and enthusiastic manner. This role can sometimes bephysically 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:

Assistant Curator Collections and Volunteer Coordinator and museum Front-of-house staff.

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

Applications by 1st October 2021

Apply now

Volunteer Library Gardeners

Manningham Library

  • Beginners welcome, as are those with fantastic experience
  • To work under the supervision of Library staff
  • To help maintain the grounds and gardens of Manningham Library by tidying, weeding, pruning and planting in specific areas. Woodworking skills would be great but not essential.
  • To receive work support as necessary
  • To carry out these tasks according to agreed health and safety guidelines and Bradford Council Behaviours and volunteer code of conduct

We can offer you the opportunity to:

  • Meet new people and have fun
  • Learn new skills and to build on experience and skills you already have
  • Gain pride in making a valuable contribution to your local community
  • Help support the library service in Bradford
  • Improve your personal wellbeing

How to apply: Covid safe interviews will take place at Manningham Library on Friday 16 July.

     A Volunteer Code and Policy can be obtained by emailing the below.

Apply now with your registration form and send to [email protected] or call Sonja on 01274 436027

Apply now

Volunteer Weaver

Bradford Industrial Museum

We need your help to run and maintain our 19th and early 20th century textile machinery. We’re looking for volunteers to help operate and maintain the looms and textile machines that are part of Bradford Museums Designated Textile Collection along with other types of historic textile processing equipment.

You will help bring our machinery to life, informing visitors about the history and technology of the weaving industry and the Museum’s collection of textile machinery. You will be supported and advised by the Collections & Conservation Team in historically relevant information and caring for working museum collections.

You will be willing to share technical knowledge / experience with other team members and volunteers and assist with training to operate various machines.

You will assist in ensuring the security of the museum, its collections and equipment, public/visitors and staff by invigilating the museum and supervising visitors as appropriate, in the Spinning and Weaving Gallery.

  • Experience of operating and maintaining textile machinery.

  • Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills

  • Basic engineering skills and abilities

  • practical experience of working with textiles

  • Good people skills enabling strong relationships both internally and externally.

  • Knowledge of health & safety compliance requirements

How to apply:

A Volunteer Code and Policy can be obtained by ringing the gallery on 01274 431212 and will be available at the interview as well.

Please send your registered interest to:

Sonja Kielty, Volunteer Co-Ordinator Libraries, Museums and Galleries, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Lister Park, Bradford, BD9 4NS

Or email: [email protected]

Apply now

Volunteer Gardener

Bradford Industrial Museum or Bolling Hall Museum

Beginners welcome, as are those with fantastic experience.

  • To work under the supervision of museum staff
  • To help maintain the grounds and gardens of museum sites by tidying, weeding, pruning and planting in specific areas
  • To receive training as necessary
  • To carry out these tasks according to agreed health and safety guidelines and Bradford Council Behaviours and volunteer code of conduct

For more information, contact Sonja, on: 

[email protected]    T: 01274 436027

Thank you so much for giving your time to volunteer for Bradford Museums and Galleries.

We hope you enjoy it!

Apply now

Print Volunteer

Bradford Industrial Museum

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 difference to our visitors’ experience

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 Wednesday to Sunday, 11am – 3pm.

Let us know which day you prefer.

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

How to apply:

A Volunteer Code and Policy can be obtained by emailing the below.

Please send your registered interest to:

[email protected] or call Sonja on 01274 436027

https://www.bradfordmuseums.org/get-involved     

Apply now

Informal interviews will take place week commencing 1 October 2021. 

 

                                     

 

Apply now