Museum of London volunteer information
Museum of London currently has very limited opportunities for volunteers and work experience placements. Our current volunteer opportunities are listed below, along with contact details, and how to apply. Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to involve anyone outside these opportunities, so please do not send in your CV 'on spec'. You can find out about volunteer opportunities in other organisations through your local Volunteer Centre or online at www.do-it.org.uk.
Conservation and Care Department
The Conservation and Collection Care Department provides annual internship placements to students on a number of conservation training programmes. We would like to offer opportunities for experience for others interested in conservation and collection care work, but limitations on space and staffing do not allow this at this time.
Volunteer work at the Museum's archaeological archive is sometimes available; this offers valuable experience in collection care and handling archaeological materials. However, placements are in demand and limited.
For information on training programmes in conservation and collection care, the website of the Institute of Conservation www.icon.org.uk (external link) is very useful, with lists of all the current programmes in the UK along with a general introduction to the profession.
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Department of Archaeological Collections and Archive
Department of Archaeological Collections and Archive (c.400, 000 BC – AD 1700) takes volunteer work placements but can only accommodate one placement at a time. As a result we are frequently fully booked for many months ahead. Applicants requiring placements should apply several months in advance of their desired slot. Please note: the usual length of a placement is one or two weeks. We do not take long-term internship students, such as students in the Leonardo da Vinci or Erasmus schemes (e.g. placements of more than one month). We do not take volunteers at weekends or over the Christmas period.
The Department is booked up for all of 2010 due to an exceptionally high number of applications over the last few months. There are now no placements available in 2010. Placements are already being booked for 2011, especially in the summer months. The following weeks in 2011 are currently still available:
- 14 - 18 March 2011
- 9 - 27 May 2011
- 13 - 17 June 2011
- 4 - 8 July 2011
- 18 - 22 July 2011
- 5 - 9 September 2011
- 24 October - 9 December 2011
If you would like to volunteer, please send a copy of your CV, a covering letter explaining why you would like to volunteer and details of when and how long you would like your placement to be to: Meriel Jeater mjeater@museumoflondon.org.uk.
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The Department of History Collections
The Department of History Collections (1700 - present day) does take volunteer work placements however applicants are usually only taken if they are studying for postgraduate degrees. We do not take Secondary school pupils or Undergraduate students. The usual length of a placement is a minimum of four weeks. We do not take volunteers at weekends or during the shorter Winter and Spring holiday periods.
If you would like to volunteer, and you feel that your placement meets the above criteria please send a copy of your CV, a covering letter explaining why you would like to volunteer and details of when and how long you would like your placement to be to Anna Elson at aelson@museumoflondon.org,uk.
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Learning Department
Schools volunteers
Thousands of pupils from primary, secondary and special educational needs schools visit the museum’s inspiring galleries and take part in interactive sessions every year.
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our schools volunteer programme in October. Your role will be to support school groups during their visit and ensure that they have a worry free, informative and highly enjoyable experience. Your role will include:
- welcoming school groups and helping them to the picnic area, workshop areas and galleries
- monitoring the cloakroom and picnic area during lunchtimes
- assisting schools during their time in the galleries; helping with worksheets and questions
- to help to ensure that schools have completed and returned evaluation forms
Previous experience is not essential as full training is provided. In return we will provide the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge in a rewarding and creative environment.
For more information and contact details please download the role description (Word 43kb, opens in a new window).
To apply please complete an expression of interest form (Word 44kb, opens in a new window) and optional monitoring form (Word 33kb, opens in a new window,).
Please note the deadline for applications is Monday 13th September.
Early Years Volunteer: Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands
We are currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support our toddlers, babies and carers groups at Museum of London (Word 42kb, opens in a new window) and Museum of London Docklands (Word 43kb, opens in a new window).
The groups run on Mondays and Wednesdays during term time (Mondays at Docklands, Wednesdays at Museum of London). They are fun, active session for children under 5 and their carers that use play, creative activities, stories and songs to explore the themes behind our collections and further young children's development.
This is a great opportunity to see how we work with younger audiences, and to be part of a project that is constantly developing.
Our Early years volunteers will support children and carers to make sure that they make the most of their visit and have an enjoyable time. The role includes:
- assisting the session leader in the setting up and running of the session; helping children and their carers with activities and ensuring that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time
- helping set up and tidy away resources
- interacting with children and carers and aid their understanding and development
Previous experience is not essential as full training is provided. In return we provide the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge in a rewarding and creative environment. For more information, please see role descriptions or email cstevenson@museumoflondon.org.uk.
To apply, please download and complete and expression of interest form (Word 44kb, opens in a new window) and optional monitoring form (Word 33kb, opens in a new window).
Application deadline is Friday 10th September.
Event Coordinator
Currently no vacancies for this position.
As an Event Coordinator you will be helping out with a wide range of practical aspects supporting our public events programme. This involves help setting up and packing away materials; assisting guides during walks or managing crowds during storytelling sessions etc.
You will be in constant contact with members of the public and it is important that you feel confident in dealing with people. You also need a keen interest in museum learning. The role offers an excellent opportunity for those wanting to pursue a career within museum education. It is also suitable for those with an interest in London's history.
We cannot guarantee that there will always be spaces available. To apply please send a CV with a covering letter explaining why you are interested in becoming an event coordinator to Sandra Hedblad at shedblad@museumoflondon.org.uk.
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London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre
Volunteers are an integral part of the life and work of the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC), which stores the archives of over 5000 excavations from the Greater London area. If you are interested in volunteering at the LAARC or would like to know about student placement and internship opportunities, please see the information provided below:
- Short-term placements/internships
Each placement runs for a minimum of one week and, usually, a maximum of four, although longer placements may be arranged. Volunteers work full-time, Monday to Friday, and sometimes there are opportunities to help with events at weekends. There are opportunities to work with finds and/or with records (paper, photographic, digital etc.).
These placements are particularly suitable for sixth-formers (for whom one or two-week placements are normal) and students studying archaeology, history or related subjects full-time or part-time.
We are particularly interested in hearing from anyone wanting to work with records, such as students currently completing an archiving qualification, or thinking about a career as an archivist.
If you would like to complete a student placement or internship at the LAARC, it would be greatly appreciated if you could please complete the application form below and email it to Dan Nesbitt (Assistant Curator) dnesbitt@museumoflondon.org.uk.
Download our work experience application form (Word, 85.5KB, opens in a new window)
To contact us about volunteering or student placement and internship opportunities, please see our main Contact page.
Please note: The LAARC is now fully booked for placements for 2010. We will be accepting applications for 2011 placements in November 2010.
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Visitor Services, Museum of London Docklands
Visitor Services at Museum of London Docklands normally takes school work experience placements through Trident. We accommodate up to two candidates on a two week programme which includes all aspects of the front of house role. This placement is best suited to pre-sixteen (year 10’s). We can also modify this placement for post-sixteen (year 12) which is normally sourced through Trident. Candidates should approach their schools in the first instance for more information.
Applications outside of the Trident scheme should be made to dutymanagers@museumoflondon.org.uk. We would then look for an approval letter from the candidate’s school and parents.
We do not offer volunteering opportunities outside of this.
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