Volunteer Role Description
Museum Interpreter Volunteer
Museum of East Anglian Life
What is a Museum Interpreter Volunteer?
Museum Interpreter Volunteers are vital in helping people to really enjoy their visits to
our site. They assist in bringing the Museum to life, by enhancing our exhibitions, informing and
inspiring our visitors and helping them to learn more about everyday life in East Anglia through
interaction and demonstration.
Through telling stories of our ancestors and engaging with visitors, Museum Interpreter
Volunteers encourage visitors to discover more, and play a key role in enhancing the visitor
experience here at the museum.
What’s in it for you?
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Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team
Meeting people from all walks of life and making new friends
Improving your communication skills
Enjoying new experiences and learning something new every day
Knowing you have made a difference to someone’s day out
What’s Involved
 Working in any one of our exhibitions or buildings, Museum Interpreter Volunteers will be
part of the Visitor Services team providing a warm, friendly service
 To be helpful and courteous to all visitors as the public face of the Museum of East Anglian
Life.
 Helping visitors with orientation of the property and its facilities
 Helping visitors to discover more by answering questions and suggesting ‘don’t miss’ items
 Assisting in the evacuation of visitors in an emergency
 Becoming familiar with and then following the Museum of East Anglian Life’s Health and
Safety Policy at all times.
 Giving any other appropriate assistance in relation to visitor services as may be reasonably
requested
 To be familiar with and comply with all other relevant Museum policies and procedures, and
to attend training as and when required.
 To answer questions providing information where possible. To refer difficult questions,
complaints, offers of information or possible donations to the appropriate member of staff.
 To be well informed about opening times, events and the nature and location of facilities
such as toilets and the café.
 To be alert to the special needs of some visitors and to offer assistance when, in your
opinion, it might be helpful
This role will suit people who... have an enthusiastic and friendly manner and a love
of history and learning. You must enjoy meeting people, are outgoing, like working inside or
outside and operating as part of a team.
Extra information
Your place - Museum of East Anglian Life
Time Commitment - Half a day once a week ideally, more if you can. This can be flexible
according to your commitments therefore fewer days can be arranged.
Volunteer Manager - Visitor Services Manager
Staff Contact (if different) - As above and Visitor Services Officers
Training/Resource As part of your induction you will be inducted to the site and areas of your
choice to help equip you for your role. You will also be given all the necessary background
information about the role you choose. You will also find out more about the Museum of East
Anglian Life and what is expected of you.
About the Museum of East Anglian Life
Introduction to the museum
The Museum of East Anglian Life is an independent museum set in a large open site in the
centre of Suffolk.
The museum has a collection of historic buildings and objects, a walled garden, landscaped
lawns and ponds and much open space including livestock paddocks and a river walk.
The museum and ancient house - Abbot’s Hall were put in trust to display and preserve some of
the heritage of rural life in East Anglia , and the collection of machines and buildings provides a
link to the history of farming and industry.
It is the duty of the museum to look after the collection of buildings, objects and landscapes and
make them accessible to the public. The museum works closely with the local community and
encourages participation of all sectors in the running of the museum and events throughout the
year.
The Museum of East Anglian Life is a social enterprise sharing the compelling story of East
Anglian lives through historic buildings, collections and landscape. We aim to enrich people’s
lives, encouraging enjoyment, learning and participation through our public programs, training
and volunteering schemes.
The museum is a space for people to be active, learn new things, look at the world differently,
make friends and give something back.
Our Cause
The Museum of East Anglian Life is a social enterprise sharing the compelling story of East
Anglian lives through historic buildings, collections and landscape. We aim to enrich people’s
lives, encouraging enjoyment, learning and participation through our public programmes,
training and volunteering schemes.
The museum is a space for people to be active, learn new things, look at the world differently,
make friends and give something back.
Our Principles
People grow with us through history:
Working Together
Part of the communities around us, we actively involve people in everything we do, encouraging
visitors, volunteers and local people to take part, share ideas and get involved.
Courage
We think big. Our enterprising, bold and far-sighted ideas influence and enrich people’s lives
within and beyond the community. Through our ambition, we help people to achieve theirs.
Belonging
We share our knowledge of East Anglian heritage, telling the stories of our ancestors through
our unique landscape & treasured collections, inspiring a greater sense of place.
Discovery
We provoke people to think about the world differently, encouraging enjoyment through an
immersive, moving and fun experience