Volunteering at the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre

The LAARC is a great believer in the use of volunteers. The use of volunteers has a long history in archaeology and with rise of commercial archaeology the opportunities for the voluntary amateur contribution has almost diminished to nothing. However volunteering at LAARC is a way to get involved in the archaeological process.

Volunteering with the LAARC started with a three year project called the Minimum Standards programme, funded by the Getty Foundation which allowed LAARC to build a base of volunteers to assist in the huge task of applying minimum standards and rationalising to the archaeological archive.

The project consisted of volunteers repacking objects to current standards and to make the archive more accessible. This led to the archive winning of the Conservation Award for Care of Collections 2005.

In 2006 the museum was given an HLF grant for a pilot project called the Archive Volunteer Learning Programme. The aim of the project was to recruit new volunteers from the local area, especially the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham.

The programme allowed essential back log tasks to be done such as repacking, but in exchange participants take away key foundation skills such as improved numeracy, literacy, IT skills and other essential life skills, as well as providing an opportunity that they are able to undertake work is essential for some job seekers.

Click on the "Volunteers: onwards & upwards" page on the left navigation panel for current volunteer opportunities within the Museum of London.