Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Volunteer Role Description
Mary Arden’s Farm
Role Title:
Reports to:
Conservation and Operations Assistant
House Steward
Purpose of role:
To assist the House Steward in the daily care and preventative conservation
routines within Mary Arden’s Farm and assist the Operations Team in ensuring
that every visitor has an enjoyable visit.
This role would ideally suit someone who would like to gain a varied working
knowledge and experience of working in a busy world class heritage site.
Through this role you will gain knowledge and experience in preventative
conservation, visitor experience, site operations, customer service, event
planning and operation, and interpretation.
Conservation Responsibilities:







Working as part of a small dedicated team you will ensure the highest standards of collection
care by assisting with the daily preventative conservation cleaning routines at Mary Arden’s
Farm.
Assist the House Steward in correctly moving and packing objects.
Assist in maintaining accurate records and inventories.
Assist in the environmental monitoring of the house i.e. monitoring pest activity and light
levels.
Monitor the safety of collections whilst undertaking daily conservation cleaning routines.
Help to protect Mary Arden’s Farm and collections by communicating key conservation
messages to visitors.
Maximise opportunities to engage visitors with the conservation work of the Shakespeare
Birthplace Trust.
Operations Responsibilities:




Working as part of the Mary Arden’s Farm Operations Team you will ensure that every visitor
has a very enjoyable visit.
Develop and deliver a series of short talks to visitors on a variety of subjects, including
collection care and the history of the site.
Assist in planning, operating and developing events and workshops.
Undertake guiding within Mary Arden’s House.
Requirements / skills:











An interest in gaining experience in a busy heritage site
Enthusiasm for developing your own skills, knowledge and experience in the heritage/museum
sector
Good people skills with the ability to talk confidently to both individuals and groups
Good IT skills
Good hand eye co-ordination and attention to detail
The ability to lift and carry objects
Ability to work as part of a small team
Ability to listen to direction and follow instructions
An interest in collection care and conservation
An appreciation of the importance of preventative conservation cleaning
An interest in historic collections
Commitment:
A regular commitment of 1 day a week would assist us in planning.
Length of project or placement:
Ongoing
Administration points:




Volunteers to wear own comfortable clothing in Shakespeare Birthplace Trust branded
colours; black/dark grey trousers or skirt and white/black/red or grey top.
Volunteer badges and branded clothing will be provided.
Smoking is not allowed on site.
Food is not allowed in exhibition areas and is only permitted in designated areas within the
Shakespeare Houses.
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Ruth Warner
Houses Manager
16 June 2014