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Support Us

Volunteer

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us deliver experiences that will delight our visitors, young and old, and develop our ideas and audiences for the future. You’ll meet fascinating people, be part of some unique events and play an important role in helping The Story Museum come true – as well as gain some different skills and experience.

Join our Story!

This is what you'll get as a volunteer:

  • A community of story lovers
  • A chance to use your talents
  • The opportunity to learn new skills
  • Help us make a difference
  • Be part of our story, discover your own and have fun!

Want to know more? Here are brief descriptions of our current volunteer roles:

Volunteering at the Story Museum is fun as all the volunteers are friendly and work as a team.

How to apply

Young volunteer application (under 18)
Volunteer application (over 18)

Current volunteers log in here to access MyVolunteerPage

Books play a big part in my life, so to be able to volunteer with a lot of like-minded people is a treat!
There’s always something new and exciting to see, and amazing stories to discover.
Web volunteer

Volunteer FAQs

Who manages volunteers at The Story Museum?

Connie Wells is our Volunteer Coordinator.
Contact Connie by email to volunteer@storymuseum.org.uk

Why volunteer at The Story Museum?

People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the benefits of volunteering at The Story Museum:

  • Support the Museum and make a difference to the lives of others
  • Feel valued and part of a team
  • Gain confidence and self-esteem
  • Gain skills, knowledge and experience
  • Use and develop existing skills, knowledge and experience
  • Enhance your CV
  • Meet new people and make new friends
  • Have fun!

How can I apply to become a volunteer?

Complete the application form on this page (see above) to create a ‘MyVolunteerPage’ account.

Once I’ve applied, how long is it until I can start volunteering?

Once you’ve signed up, our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch to arrange for you to come and see the Museum and have an induction. During that visit you'll see the Galleries, talk about what roles are required in each space and see if it’s a good fit!

If your role requires a DBS check this will happen after the visit to the Museum. Most roles don't require a DBS check unless you're in regular contact with the same group of children – we'll advise you if you need one.

How much time do I need to volunteer?

We ask for a minimum of three months and we encourage people to volunteer twice a month or as often as they're able in order to stay active in the community.

What skills and experience do I need?

You don’t need to have any specific skills or experience but we’re looking for people who:

  • Love communicating with people and making connections
  • Love stories of all kinds
  • Have an interest in museums and arts venues
  • Have a desire to learn and the willingness to get stuck in
  • Enjoy working as part of a team
  • Enjoy the unexpected.

Can I get a qualification or an award?

We have a number of volunteers who volunteer at The Story Museum as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award, or Arts Award. We also provide references for volunteers, and award certificates (if desired) for completing 20 shifts over the year.

What training opportunities are there?

We train volunteers in certain roles in customer service, data protection and safeguarding. We aim to upskill all our volunteers in storytelling, and run training on this a few times a year.

Can I claim travel expenses?

Yes, up to £6 per day. If you volunteer for the Blue Sky Book Club scheme, all your travel expenses are covered.

Do I have to be a certain age to volunteer?

You must be over 13 to volunteer. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have permission from a guardian.

What about online volunteering?

We sometimes have opportunities for online volunteering with different departments. These are ad hoc so if you're interested, please indicate on your application form.

What happens if I change my mind?

You’re under no obligation to continue volunteering for us if you change your mind. However, we would ask that you speak to the Volunteer Coordinator first to see if you want to try a different role.

How are we making volunteering safe?

We carry out full risk assessments to ensure that we protect our staff, volunteers and visitors.

If you'd like to find out more, please contact Connie Wells at volunteer@storymuseum.org.uk who'll be happy to help.