Community Volunteer
You will be part of developing and supporting our growing programme of community engagement work. You will help diverse audiences (including people with dementia, autism, and visual impairment) engage with the history centre and its collections both at the history centre and in community settings.
You will be working alongside our Curator. Tasks could include:
• Helping to develop the history centre’s Conservation Club for people living with dementia and their carers, and then deliver sessions to community groups and diverse audiences.
• Listening to and supporting participants who might experience barriers through disability, confidence, financial circumstances, or caring responsibilities.
• Begin to develop the Arts Council’s Bronze Arts Award, https://www.artsaward.org.uk and then support young people to achieve that award by helping them build a portfolio of their work
• Working with our Curator on developing access materials (e.g., large print, social story)
• Assisting on tours for groups with particular needs e.g. autism, dementia, visual impairment
• Working with small groups of people on community listening projects by participating in conversations or Interviewing participants
• Supporting our Curator in evaluating projects via surveys, observations, and conversations with participants
• Admin support
Over the long term we hope to support volunteers to take ownership over aspects of the programme and feel confident in leading on parts of project, tours or evaluation.
Main Activities
Skills Needed
We are looking for people who relish the opportunity to work with a really broad range of people
• Good and active listening skills
• Reliability and a friendly nature
• Good interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively with different audiences
• An interest in helping the museum continue and develop as a welcoming and caring organisation
• Interest in developing an understanding of particular groups’ needs through experience or training
• Interest in developing an understanding of the ways in which social and creative activities in the museum can benefit community participants
• Ability or willingness to learn about the Amesbury History Centre and its displays
• We also value personal experience of care, service use, or support in education.
We actively encourage people who experience barriers to apply for this role and enter into a conversation with us about your needs).
Training Offered
Training will include the following:
• Dementia Friends Session https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk
• Autism Awareness
• An introduction to ‘relational practice’ in community work
• Project specific training on qualitative evaluation methods
• Comprehensive Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure and responsibilities of volunteers
• Role specific training/mentoring
Time Commitment Requested
We are flexible with the time that volunteers can commit for this role. Community Volunteers could work on regular activity or on fixed-term projects.
We would however ideally welcome an initial commitment of 6 months.
There will be a trial period of 3 months to ensure that this is the right role for you.
Equal Opportunities
Amesbury History Centre is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all and welcomes applications from all volunteers with suitable skills and interests.