Becoming a volunteer at
The Salisbury Museum
Induction Pack
Contents
Becoming a volunteer
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Induction - explained
Volunteer roles
Role descriptions
Booking a shift for Engagement or Exhibitions roles
Starting Volunteering
The Salisbury Museum Team
If you would like more information about volunteering at The Salisbury Museum please
contact Katy England, Volunteer Coordinator at katyengland@salisburymuseum.org.uk or
call 01722 820541.
Becoming a volunteer
This pack aims to help you with your induction and make sure that you have all the
information you need.
First of all, have you…
1) Sent in an application form to the Volunteer Coordinator?
2) Come on a Tour and Introduction session and ‘Drop-In’ session? (details of these
are below)
3) Read the Volunteer Handbook? (these can be obtained from the Volunteer
Coordinator)
Volunteer Coordinator
The Volunteer Coordinator, Katy England, will be your main contact at the museum,
especially when you are starting your volunteering.
Katy oversees the induction for all new volunteers at the museum. She is assisted by
Volunteer Jane Hanbidge, who will help book you into the Induction and Drop-In
sessions.
The ‘Drop In’ sessions (see below) are a chance to discuss the role you would like to
undertake at the museum with Katy. You can also contact her via email
(katyengland@salisburymuseum.org.uk). The Volunteer Coordinator post is a part
time position, two and a half days a week, so please bear this in mind when you
contact via email.
Once you have completed your induction process, your role-specific training will be
arranged by the member of staff who oversees that role, rather than the Volunteer
Coordinator. You will be given the name of the relevant member of staff after the
induction process.
Once you start your new role at the museum, you may not see the Volunteer
Coordinator on a day to day basis as you will be managed by the member of staff
you are volunteering with, but if you do find that you have any problems or if there is
something you would like to discuss, then please do get in touch with Katy who still
oversees all the volunteers at the museum.
Also, if you are interested in doing another volunteering role at the museum, then get
in touch with Katy who will be happy to talk things through with you.
Volunteer Induction - explained
The aim of induction is to make sure all new volunteers are familiar with The
Salisbury Museum, its mission statement and collections and are able to
successfully and safely fulfill the volunteering role they undertake.
The induction programme covers a number of different elements, which will be
completed by all new volunteers. These include:
1) Tour and Introduction to Volunteering at The Salisbury Museum
A tour of the museum and galleries and introduction to volunteering at the museum
also covering fire and security. These are held approximately monthly.
2) Attending volunteer ‘drop in’ session.
Held fortnightly at the museum these are an informal chance to discuss volunteer
roles. Please get in touch with the Volunteer Coordinator for the next date.
3) Relevant training sessions to the volunteer role
This is specific training related to the role that is undertaken at the museum.
Volunteer Introduction Checklist
This is a checklist that needs to be filled out and signed to confirm that all aspects of
volunteering the museum have been explained, it will be handed out at the Tour and
Introduction session.
Three Month Trial Period
There is a three month trial period for all the roles at the museum which will be
reviewed by the Volunteer Coordinator at the end of the time period to make sure
both the museum and the volunteer are happy with the role that has been chosen.
Volunteer Induction Summary Sheet
At the end of the three month trial period a volunteer induction Summary Sheet will
be completed for each volunteer by the Volunteer Coordinator and signed by both
Volunteer Coordinator and volunteer.
Volunteer Card
The new volunteer will then receive their volunteer card and become an official
volunteer at The Salisbury Museum.
Volunteer roles
There are a wide variety of volunteer roles at the museum including:
Engagement Volunteer
You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers working in the museum,
welcoming visitors and helping them engage with the collections. You will help to
protect the collections by being vigilant with regard to safety and security.
You will be working in galleries covering a wide ranging collection from costumes
and ceramics to our brand new internationally important Wessex Gallery of
archaeology.
Exhibitions Steward
This role is volunteering in the temporary art exhibitions we have at the museum.
You will be welcoming visitors into the exhibition and answering questions as well as
being vigilant with regard to safety and security.
Visitor Services Volunteer
You will be part of a volunteer team assisting with the visitor services team at the
museum. This is a busy but essential role and including working selling tickets and
working on the till.
Learning Volunteer
You will be part of our thriving learning department supporting and leading outreach
and school visits (KS1-4) on the Normans, Saxons, Romans and Stonehenge
People. You will also assist with other learning events such as Living History
Fortnight and a programme of family events throughout the year. You will be
required to undertake a DBS check for this role.
Communications Volunteer
You will promote the museum at events across Wiltshire, where as part of a team
you will manage a stall with promotional material, object handling from the
archaeology collection, and ‘make-and-take’ activities for children.
You will also get involved with wider museum marketing including leaflet distribution,
on line networking, web listings and contacting schools and groups. You will be
required to undertake a DBS check for this role.
Collections Volunteer
Volunteers get involved in a range of collections projects to help conserve and care
for the diverse collections which include archaeology, social history, art, costume
and glass and ceramics.
Projects include documenting and care of collections, photographing artefacts and
updating the collections database.
Other volunteering opportunities
If you have other skills that you would like to offer that aren’t covered by the roles
listed above, then do let us know.
Role descriptions
Below are the full role descriptions for the volunteer roles at The Salisbury Museum.
Please read carefully the role description for the role you are considering.
Volunteer Role Description – Collections Volunteer
Title of role
Collections Volunteer
Purpose of
role
You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers cataloguing the
collections of the museum.
Main
activities/
tasks
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Skills/
interests
needed
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Training
offered
Attention to detail
Methodical working manner
Reliability
A friendly nature
A reasonable level of physical dexterity
Ability to follow guidelines and respond to constructive criticism
An interest in archaeology or history
Willingness to learn about Salisbury Museum, its collections and
building
Ability to work on your own or as part of a team
Training will include some of the following:
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Time
commitment
requested
Accurately document the location and nature of the artefacts in
the museum collection stores
Provide accurate measurements of objects as required
Handle museum objects in a careful and considered manner
Enhance the collections database - Modes
Improve the existing collections storage
Digitally record artefacts in the museum’s collections
Additional research on objects as and when required
Tour of the museum
Comprehensive induction process covering the fire evacuation
procedure and responsibilities of volunteers
Role specific training
Ideally 2.5 hours weekly either morning or afternoon
We would welcome an initial commitment of 6 months.
Volunteer Role Description – Communication Volunteer
Title of role
Communication Volunteer
Purpose of role
You will help to promote the museum at events both at the
museum and across Wiltshire as well as possibly getting
involved with wider museum marketing including leaflet
distribution and contacting schools and groups.
Main activities/ tasks
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Skills/ interests needed
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Training offered
Enjoyment of working with diverse audiences
Ability to communicate effectively with different
audiences
An interest in archaeology or history
Ability or willingness to learn about Salisbury
Museum, its collections and building
Reliability
A friendly nature
A reasonable level of physical dexterity if assisting
with stalls at events (NB this role would involve
standing for periods of time and helping to set up and
take down the stall)
Training will include some of the following:
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Time commitment
requested
Helping to manage a stall with promotional material
Interacting with the general public to promote the
museum and Wessex Gallery
Engaging the general public with artefacts from the
collection
Interacting with family groups through quizzes and
‘make-and-take’ activities
Assisting with the set-up and take down of the stall
Assisting with leaflet distribution at events and
around Salisbury to publicise the museum
Assist with schools and events marketing
Tour of the museum by an experienced member of
staff
Induction process covering the fire evacuation
procedure and responsibilities of volunteers
Flexible. We would however ideally welcome a commitment
of 6 months.
Volunteer Role Description – Engagement Volunteer
Title of role
Engagement Volunteer
Purpose of
role
You will be part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers enhancing the visitor
experience of the museum.
Main
activities/
tasks
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Skills/
interests
needed
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Training
offered
Time
commitment
requested
Welcome visitors into the museum
Engaging with visitors and highlighting objects specific to the
visitors’ interests when appropriate
Add an extra layer of information to the visitor experience
Assist visitors including families and children with gallery
interactives, such as the computerised touch table and activity
drawers in the Wessex Gallery.
Maintain a level of tidiness and order within the Wessex Gallery
To be vigilant at all times with regard to safety and security with the
collection and visitors
To understand and assist with the fire evacuation procedure
Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences
An interest in archaeology or history
Willingness to learn about Salisbury Museum, its collections and
building
Reliability
A friendly nature
Enjoyment of working with diverse audiences
A reasonable level of physical dexterity
(NB this role will involve standing for periods of time and walking
around the museum including going up and down stairs)
Training will include some of the following:

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Tour of the museum
Comprehensive Induction process covering the fire evacuation
procedure and responsibilities of volunteers
 Role specific training
Flexible. We would however ideally welcome a commitment of 6 months.
Volunteer Role Description – Visitor Services Volunteer
Title of role
Salisbury Museum Visitor Service Volunteer
Purpose of role
You will be part of our friendly front of house team, working in a busy
retail environment, interfacing with the public and helping to deliver a
high standard of customer service.
The role will involve, some or all of the below activities:
 To welcome visitors into the museum in a friendly and
informative way.
 To work with the visitor service staff in managing visitors
entering the museum.
 Helping when necessary with visitors purchases
 To be able to inform visitors about the museum collections,
exhibitions and events
 To work with the visitor service staff to keep all areas, clean and
well stocked
 To work as part of team on a rota
 Till training can be given to those who are interested.
Main activities/
tasks
Skills/ interests
needed
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Interest in Salisbury Museum and ensuring that the visitor
experience is positive
Good communication skills with different visitors and staff
The ability to be confident, calm and cheerful when dealing with
the public
Enjoyment of working within a busy team
Computer skills
Reliability and commitment to the team
Training
offered
Full training will be provided for the role and on-going support offered.
A member of the visitor service staff will be present at all times.
Training will offered in the following:
 Understanding the ticket offer and the importance of gift aid to
the museum. Be able to explain this to visitors if asked
 Understanding the role of visitor service staff and how to
support them.
 Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure,
introduction to museum policy and procedures, and
responsibilities of volunteers
 Customer services
 Social inclusion and accessibility
Time
commitment
requested
Visitor Service Volunteers will work mainly in shifts of 3.5 hours in
duration. From Monday - Saturday the shifts will be from 10.00am1.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm. The museum is open on Sundays from June
- September, when the shifts will be 12pm-2.30pm and 2.30pm-5pm.
The role includes Bank Holidays.
Visitor Service Volunteers can chose to do a regular weekly or
fortnightly slot (or slots), or fill in on a more ad hoc basis.
Volunteer Role Description – Learning Volunteer
Title of role
Learning Volunteer
Purpose of role
You will be part of our thriving learning department helping
diverse audiences (children of all ages, families, special
needs groups and adult groups) engage with the museum
and its collections through formal and informal learning.
Main activities/ tasks
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Skills/ interests needed
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Training offered
Training will include some of the following:
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Time commitment
requested
To support or lead school sessions (KS1-4) on the
Normans, Saxons, Romans, Stonehenge People and
Mini Museums
To deliver educational outreach sessions for elderly
or special needs groups
To support our programme of family events
throughout the year (including craft activities,
storytelling, drama and music)
To devise, manage and deliver monthly ‘make and
take’ craft sessions for families
Experience of working with children, particularly in an
educational role
Enjoyment of working with diverse audiences (e.g.
children, families, adults, special needs groups)
A knowledge of archaeology or history
Ability or willingness to learn about Salisbury
Museum, its collections and building
Ability to communicate effectively with different
audiences (e.g. children of different ages and
abilities)
Reliability and a friendly nature
A reasonable level of physical dexterity
(NB this role will involve standing and carrying
educational material for setting up sessions)
Training will be provided by the Project Learning and
Outreach Officer
A set of guidelines will also be provided
This role will require a DBS check to be undertaken
We are flexible with the time that volunteers can commit for
this role. We would however ideally welcome a commitment
of 6 months. There will be a trial period of 3 months to
ensure that this is the right role for you.
Volunteer Role Description – Exhibitions Steward
Title of role
Exhibitions Steward
Purpose of
role
You will be part of an energetic team of volunteers enhancing the visitor
experience of our temporary art exhibitions.
Main
activities/
tasks





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
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Welcome visitors into the exhibition
To be friendly and informative
Engage with visitors and answer questions about the exhibition
Direct visitors around the rest of the museum space
To be vigilant at all times with regard to safety and security
To walk around the exhibition space and highlight any concerns
to museum staff
To assist with the flow of visitors (particularly in busy periods)
through the exhibition
To understand and assist with the fire evacuation procedure
Skills/
interests
needed
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An interest in Salisbury Museum
Enjoyment of working with the public
Polite and approachable
Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences
Willingness to learn about the exhibition
Reliability
A reasonable level of physical dexterity
(NB this role will include periods of standing and walking around
the exhibition)
Training
offered

Induction process covering the fire evacuation procedure, health
and safety, and responsibilities of volunteers
Role specific training
Time
commitment
requested

Flexible. We would however ideally welcome a commitment for the
duration of the current exhibition.
Booking a shift for Engagement or Exhibitions roles.
If you are working in the galleries at the museum as an engagement volunteer,
exhibitions steward or front of house volunteer you will need to either commit to a
regular weekly or fortnightly shift or gives us the dates you are available to do shifts
as far in advance as possible.
You will need to fill out a shift booking form for the role you are undertaking. This will
be handed out at your role-specific training.
We use an online shift booking programme called Find My Shift. Shifts are only
inputted into the system by staff at the museum, but you can request a password to
view the rota online.
Alternatively you can ring or come into the museum and ask reception staff to let you
know which shifts you are booked in for. Further information on booking shifts will be
given at the role specific training.
The shift times are:
9.45am – 11.15am
11.15am – 12.45pm
12.45pm – 2.15pm
2.15pm – 3.45pm
3.45 – 5.15pm
Booking a shift for other roles
This will depend on the role being done and will be arranged at the time of role
specific training.
Starting volunteering
Once you have agreed a role with the Volunteer Coordinator
Have you...
1) Read and understood the Fire and evacuation procedures and signed folder?
(this is on reception)
2) Attended role-specific training? This is arranged by the member of staff
overseeing the volunteer role and coordinated by the volunteer coordinator.
3) Received role specific guidance notes? These will be given out at training but
are also available from the folder in the volunteers locker area or to download from
the museum website.
4) Received information about the objects/galleries in the museum? This is
available from the folder in the volunteers locker area or to download from The
Salisbury Museum website.
5) Visited the volunteer’s blog area of our website which includes regular updates
written by volunteers?
6) Made sure you are aware how our shift booking system works? (see above
notes on this).
The Salisbury Museum Team
At The Salisbury Museum we have a small but friendly and dedicated team of staff,
they are:
Adrian Green
Director
Adrian Green has overall responsibility for all aspects of the museum, which
encompasses managing the collections, building, displays, temporary exhibitions
and staff. Adrian’s main priorities at the moment are increasing visitor numbers,
widening access to the collections and redeveloping the museum building.
Email: adriangreen@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Jane Ellis-Schön
Project Curator
Jane Ellis-Schön is currently Project Curator and co-curated the Wessex Gallery.
Jane is now working on the Finding Pitt-Rivers project cataloging and working with a
team of volunteers to make the Pitt-Rivers Collection more accessible for the future.
Email: janeellis-schon@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Project Learning Officer
Owain Hughes
Owain has put together the learning and outreach programme for the Wessex
Gallery as well as organising other learning events such as Living History Fortnight.
Owain has a team of learning volunteers to assist him.
Email: owainhughes@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Marketing and Administration Officer
Louise Tunnard
Louise is responsible for marketing the museum in the widest sense, organising the
events programme, and ensuring the smooth day to day running of the museum.
Email: louisetunnard@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Development Officer
Sara Willis
Sara’s role of Development Officer covers many areas of fundraising. The many
areas Sara covers include producing applications for grants from charitable sources
and approaching individuals and companies for gifts and sponsorship. I am also
involved in events specifically intended to raise funds and membership subscriptions
and associated gifts.
Email: sarawillis@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Nicola Kilgour-Croft
Finance Manager
The financial affairs of the museum trust are carefully managed by Nicola who also
keeps a close eye on the budgets to make savings.
Email: finance@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Volunteer Coordinator
Katy England
Katy coordinates the volunteers at the museum and oversees the induction and
training programme for new volunteers.
Email: katyengland@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Retail Manager
Jan Thorne
Jan Thorne manages the Visitor Service staff and looks after the retail side of the
museum including producing merchandise for the shop. Jan also manages the team
of volunteers who work in visitor facing roles at the museum.
Email: janthorne@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Finds Liaison Officer
Richard Henry
Richard is the Finds Liaison Officer for Wiltshire based at the museum. He and his
team record archaeological finds made by members of the public onto a national
database and deals with all treasure cases for the county.
Email: richardhenry@salisburymuseum.org.uk
Tel: 01722 332151
Valerie Overton
Housekeeper
Valerie Overton has the huge task of keeping the King’s House clean. From
polishing cases to vacuuming the floor, Val can often be seen around the museum
enthusiastically undertaking her duties.
Visitor Services Staff
You can be guaranteed to be greeted with a smile by our enthusiastic Visitor Service
team:
Caroline Cameron
Geoffrey Sonnenberg
Georgia Thorne
Jon Hampton
Hannah Grigson
Kay Shepcar
Turner Gallery Attendants
For the duration of the Turner exhibition we will have a team of Turner Gallery
Attendants.
They are:
David Falcke
Jennifer Roberts
Franchesca Mclean
Anne Nash