Becoming a Volunteer At

Becoming a volunteer at

The SalisburyMuseum

Induction Pack

Contents

Becoming a volunteer

Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Induction - explained

Volunteer roles

Role descriptions

Booking a shift for Engagement or Exhibitions roles

Starting Volunteering

The SalisburyMuseum Team

If you would like more information about volunteering at The Salisbury Museum please contact Katy England, Volunteer Coordinator at or call 01722 820541.

Becoming a volunteer

This pack aims to help you with your induction and make sure that you have all the information you need.

First of all, have you…

1)Sent in an application form to the Volunteer Coordinator?

2) Come on a Tour and Introduction session and ‘Drop-In’ session? (details of these are below)

3) Read the Volunteer Handbook? (these can be obtained from the Volunteer Coordinator)

Volunteer Coordinator

The Volunteer Coordinator, Katy England, will be your main contact at the museum, especially when you are starting your volunteering.

Katy oversees the induction for all new volunteers at the museum. She is assisted by Volunteer Jane Hanbidge, who will help book you into the Induction and Drop-In sessions.

The ‘Drop In’ sessions (see below) are a chance to discuss the role you would like to undertake at the museum with Katy. You can also contact her via email (). The Volunteer Coordinator post is a part time position, two and a half days a week, so please bear this in mind when you contact via email.

Once you have completed your induction process, your role-specific training will be arranged by the member of staff who oversees that role, rather than the Volunteer Coordinator. You will be given the name of the relevant member of staff after the induction process.

Once you start your new role at the museum, you may not see the Volunteer Coordinator on a day to day basis as you will be managed by the member of staff you are volunteering with, but if you do find that you have any problems or if there is something you would like to discuss, then please do get in touch with Katy who still oversees all the volunteers at the museum.

Also, if you are interested in doing another volunteering role at the museum, then get in touch with Katy who will be happy to talk things through with you.

Volunteer Induction - explained

The aim of induction is to make sure all new volunteers are familiar with The Salisbury Museum, its mission statement and collections and are able to successfully and safely fulfill the volunteering role they undertake.

The induction programme covers a number of different elements, which will be completed by all new volunteers. These include:

1) Tour and Introduction to Volunteering at The SalisburyMuseum

A tour of the museum and galleries and introduction to volunteering at the museum also covering fire and security. These are held approximately monthly.

2) Attending volunteer ‘drop in’ session.

Held fortnightly at the museum these are an informal chance to discuss volunteer roles.Please get in touch with the Volunteer Coordinator for the next date.

3)Relevant training sessions to the volunteer role

This is specific training related to the role that is undertaken at the museum.

Volunteer Introduction Checklist

This is a checklist that needs to be filled out and signed to confirm that all aspects of volunteering the museum have been explained, it will be handed out at the Tour and Introduction session.

Three Month Trial Period

There is a three month trial period for all the roles at the museum which will be reviewed by the Volunteer Coordinator at the end of the time period to make sure both the museum and the volunteer are happy with the role that has been chosen.

Volunteer Induction Summary Sheet

At the end of the three month trial period a volunteer induction Summary Sheet will be completed for each volunteer by the Volunteer Coordinator and signed by both Volunteer Coordinator and volunteer.

Volunteer Card

The new volunteer will then receive their volunteer card and become an official volunteer at The Salisbury Museum.

Volunteer roles

There are a wide variety of volunteer roles at the museum including:

Engagement Volunteer

You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers working in the museum, welcoming visitors and helping them engage with the collections. You will help to protect the collections by being vigilant with regard to safety and security.

You will be working in galleries covering a wide ranging collection from costumes and ceramics to our brand new internationally important Wessex Gallery of archaeology.

Exhibitions Steward

This role is volunteering in the temporary art exhibitions we have at the museum. You will be welcoming visitors into the exhibition and answering questions as well as being vigilant with regard to safety and security.

Visitor Services Volunteer

You will be part of a volunteer team assisting with the visitor services team at the museum. This is a busy but essential role and including working selling tickets and working on the till.

Learning Volunteer

You will be part of our thriving learning department supporting and leading outreach and school visits (KS1-4) on the Normans, Saxons, Romans and Stonehenge People. You will also assist with other learning events such as Living History Fortnight and a programme of family events throughout the year. You will be required to undertake a DBS check for this role.

Communications Volunteer

You will promote the museum at events across Wiltshire, where as part of a team you will manage a stall with promotional material, object handling from the archaeology collection, and ‘make-and-take’ activities for children.

You will also get involved with wider museum marketing including leaflet distribution, on line networking, web listings and contacting schools and groups. You will be required to undertake a DBS check for this role.

Collections Volunteer

Volunteers get involved in a range of collections projects to help conserve and care for the diverse collections which include archaeology, social history, art, costume and glass and ceramics.

Projects include documenting and care of collections, photographing artefacts and updating the collections database.

Other volunteering opportunities

If you have other skills that you would like to offer that aren’t covered by the roles listed above, then do let us know.

Role descriptions

Below are the full role descriptions for the volunteer roles at The Salisbury Museum. Please read carefully the role description for the role you are considering.

Volunteer Role Description – Collections Volunteer

Title of role / Collections Volunteer
Purpose of role / You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers cataloguing the collections of the museum.
Main activities/ tasks /

• Accurately document the location and nature of the artefacts in the museum collection stores
• Provide accurate measurements of objects as required
• Handle museum objects in a careful and considered manner
• Enhance the collections database - Modes
• Improve the existing collections storage
• Digitally record artefacts in the museum’s collections
• Additional research on objects as and when required

Skills/ interests needed /

• Attention to detail
• Methodical working manner
• Reliability
• A friendly nature
• A reasonable level of physical dexterity
• Ability to follow guidelines and respond to constructive criticism
• An interest in archaeology or history
• Willingness to learn about SalisburyMuseum, its collections and building
• Ability to work on your own or as part of a team

Training offered / Training will include some of the following:

• Tour of the museum
• Comprehensive induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure and responsibilities of volunteers
• Role specific training

Time commitment requested / Ideally 2.5 hours weekly either morning or afternoon
We would welcome an initial commitment of 6 months.

Volunteer Role Description – Communication Volunteer

Title of role / Communication Volunteer
Purpose of role / You will help to promote the museum at events both at the museum and across Wiltshire as well as possibly getting involved with wider museum marketing including leaflet distribution and contacting schools and groups.
Main activities/ tasks /

• Helping to manage a stall with promotional material
• Interacting with the general public to promote the museum and Wessex Gallery
• Engaging the general public with artefacts from the collection
• Interacting with family groups through quizzes and ‘make-and-take’ activities
• Assisting with the set-up and take down of the stall
• Assisting with leaflet distribution at events and around Salisbury to publicise the museum
• Assist with schools and events marketing

Skills/ interests needed /

• Enjoyment of working with diverse audiences
• Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences
• An interest in archaeology or history
• Ability or willingness to learn about Salisbury Museum, its collections and building
• Reliability
• A friendly nature

• A reasonable level of physical dexterity if assisting with stalls at events (NB this role would involve standing for periods of time and helping to set up and take down the stall)

Training offered / Training will include some of the following:

• Tour of the museum by an experienced member of staff
• Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure and responsibilities of volunteers

Time commitment requested / Flexible. We would however ideally welcome a commitment of 6 months.

Volunteer Role Description – Engagement Volunteer

Title of role / Engagement Volunteer
Purpose of role / You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers enhancing the visitor experience of the museum.
Main activities/ tasks /

• Welcome visitors into the museum
• Engaging with visitors and highlighting objects specific to the visitors’ interests when appropriate
• Add an extra layer of information to the visitor experience
• Assist visitors including families and children with gallery interactives, such as the computerised touch table and activity drawers in the Wessex Gallery.
• Maintain a level of tidiness and order within the Wessex Gallery
• To be vigilant at all times with regard to safety and security with the collection and visitors
• To understand and assist with the fire evacuation procedure

Skills/ interests needed /

• Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences
• An interest in archaeology or history
• Willingness to learn about Salisbury Museum, its collections and building
• Reliability
• A friendly nature
• Enjoyment of working with diverse audiences

• A reasonable level of physical dexterity

(NB this role will involve standing for periods of time and walking around the museum including going up and down stairs)
Training offered / Training will include some of the following:

• Tour of the museum
• Comprehensive Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure and responsibilities of volunteers
• Role specific training

Time commitment requested / Flexible. We would however ideally welcome a commitment of 6 months.

Volunteer Role Description – Visitor Services Volunteer

Title of role / Salisbury Museum Visitor Service Volunteer
Purpose of role / You will be part of our friendly front of house team, working in a busy retail environment, interfacing with the public and helping to deliver a high standard of customer service.
Main activities/ tasks / The role will involve, some or all of the below activities:

• To welcome visitors into the museum in a friendly and informative way.
• To work with the visitor service staff in managing visitors entering the museum.
• Helping when necessary with visitors purchases
• To be able to inform visitors about the museum collections, exhibitions and events
• To work with the visitor service staff to keep all areas, clean and well stocked
• To work as part of team on a rota
• Till training can be given to those whoare interested.

Skills/ interests needed /

• Interest in Salisbury Museum and ensuring that the visitor experience is positive
• Good communication skills with different visitors and staff
• The ability to be confident, calm and cheerful when dealing with the public
• Enjoyment of working within a busy team
• Computer skills
• Reliability and commitment to the team

Training offered / Full training will be provided for the role and on-going support offered. A member of the visitor service staff will be present at all times. Training will offered in the following:

• Understanding the ticket offer and the importance of gift aid to the museum. Be able to explain this to visitors if asked
• Understanding the role of visitor service staff and how to support them.
• Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure, introduction to museum policy and procedures, and responsibilities of volunteers
• Customer services
• Social inclusion and accessibility

Time commitment requested / Visitor Service Volunteers will work mainly in shifts of 3.5 hours in duration. From Monday - Saturday the shifts will be from 10.00am-1.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm. The museum is open on Sundays from June - September, when the shifts will be 12pm-2.30pm and 2.30pm-5pm. The role includes Bank Holidays.
Visitor Service Volunteers can chose to do a regular weekly or fortnightly slot (or slots), or fill in on a more adhoc basis.

Volunteer Role Description – Learning Volunteer

Title of role / Learning Volunteer
Purpose of role / You will be part of our thriving learning department helping diverse audiences (children of all ages, families, special needs groups and adult groups) engage with the museum and its collections through formal and informal learning.
Main activities/ tasks /

• To support or lead school sessions (KS1-4) on the Normans, Saxons, Romans, Stonehenge People and Mini Museums
• To deliver educational outreach sessions for elderly or special needs groups
• To support our programme of family events throughout the year (including craft activities, storytelling, drama and music)
• To devise, manage and deliver monthly ‘make and take’ craft sessions for families

Skills/ interests needed /

• Experience of working with children, particularly in an educational role
• Enjoyment of working with diverse audiences (e.g. children, families, adults, special needs groups)
• A knowledge of archaeology or history
• Ability or willingness to learn about Salisbury Museum, its collections and building
• Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences (e.g. children of different ages and abilities)
• Reliability and a friendly nature

• A reasonable level of physical dexterity

(NB this role will involve standing and carrying educational material for setting up sessions)
Training offered / Training will include some of the following:

• Training will be provided by the Project Learning and Outreach Officer

• A set of guidelines will also be provided
• This role will require a DBS check to be undertaken

Time commitment requested / We are flexible with the time that volunteers can commit for this role. We would however ideally welcome a commitment of 6 months. There will be a trial period of 3 months to ensure that this is the right role for you.

Volunteer Role Description – Exhibitions Steward

Title of role / Exhibitions Steward
Purpose of role / You will be part of an energetic team of volunteers enhancing the visitor experience of our temporary art exhibitions.
Main activities/ tasks /

• Welcome visitors into the exhibition
• To be friendly and informative
• Engage with visitors and answer questions about the exhibition
• Direct visitors around the rest of the museum space
• To be vigilant at all times with regard to safety and security
• To walk around the exhibition space and highlight any concerns to museum staff
• To assist with the flow of visitors (particularly in busy periods) through the exhibition
• To understand and assist with the fire evacuation procedure

Skills/ interests needed /

• An interest in Salisbury Museum
• Enjoyment of working with the public
• Polite and approachable

• Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences
• Willingness to learn about the exhibition
• Reliability
• A reasonable level of physical dexterity

(NB this role will include periods of standing and walking around the exhibition)
Training offered /

• Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure, health and safety, and responsibilities of volunteers
• Role specific training

Time commitment requested / Flexible. We would however ideally welcome a commitment for the duration of the current exhibition.

Booking a shift for Engagement or Exhibitions roles.

If you are working in the galleries at the museum as an engagement volunteer, exhibitions steward or front of house volunteer you will need to either commit to a regular weekly or fortnightly shift or gives us the dates you are available to do shifts as far in advance as possible.

You will need to fill out a shift booking form for the role you are undertaking. This will be handed out at your role-specific training.

We use an online shift booking programme called Find My Shift. Shifts are only inputted into the system by staff at the museum, but you can request a password to view the rota online.

Alternatively you can ring or come into the museum and ask reception staff to let you know which shifts you are booked in for. Further information on booking shifts will be given at the role specific training.

The shift times are:

9.45am – 11.15am

11.15am – 12.45pm

12.45pm – 2.15pm

2.15pm – 3.45pm

3.45 – 5.15pm

Booking a shift for other roles

This will depend on the role being done and will be arranged at the time of role specific training.

Starting volunteering

Once you have agreed a role with the Volunteer Coordinator

Have you...

1) Read and understood the Fire and evacuation procedures and signed folder? (this is on reception)

2) Attended role-specific training? This is arranged by the member of staff overseeing the volunteer role and coordinated by the volunteer coordinator.

3) Received role specific guidance notes? These will be given out at training but are also available from the folder in the volunteers locker area or to download from the museum website.