A new phase for volunteering at the Museum of London!

11 February 2008

I was recruited by the Museum of London in November 2007 to fill the new role of Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Hayley James

Previously I was managing a small, homelessness drop-in centre in South Wimbledon where I worked part-time whilst completing my PG Dip in Voluntary Action Management at Roehampton University. After graduating I wanted to continue my career working with volunteers and so was very pleased to get this job!

Over the last couple of years I have become increasingly committed to volunteering and now hold the view that it is a vitally important part of a community. I have previously supported older people to maintain independent living and I currently volunteer as Treasurer of a youth group which organises gigs for their peers.

My main two aims are to work across all three sites to develop good practice around volunteering and to diversify the volunteer pool to reflect London's demographic.

This is an exciting opportunity for the Museum, staff and existing and future volunteers. The current situation is that we have a relatively small number of invaluable volunteers who bring their skills and experience to support some areas of the Museum's operation (please see top of page for Volunteer Profiles).

What we now want to do is introduce volunteers to as many areas of the Museum as possible so that we can:

• inspire a passion for London
• utilise the assets that volunteers bring to a role
• offer opportunities to those at risk from social exclusion

I have met with many colleagues to discuss areas in which volunteers could be recruited to support staff and their departments. There are now nine potential roles of varying lengths, commitments and skill requirements that I am developing with staff.

We are looking at important areas and I have almost finished the Volunteer Handbook which will ensure that both volunteers and staff can have a enjoyable, reciprocal relationship.

If you are interested in volunteering with us please do email volunteering@museumoflondon.org.uk with what area you are interested in and I will get back to you.  If you are unsure of what is available within the Museum email to say hello and I will liaise with you to see what you may be interested in.

Meet some of our volunteers

• Winifred Bindley, volunteer profile (Word 27kb)
• Sophearn Phan, volunteer profile (Word 24kb)
• David Pollock, volunteer profile (Word 26kb)
• Richard Gilpin, volunteer profile (Word 94kb)