Summer at the Museums Volunteer Roles
at the University of Cambridge Museums
Opportunities available between 24 July – 3 September 2014
Summer at the Museums is an annual programme of events for families which takes place
between Thursday 24 July 2014 and Wednesday 3 September. With almost 90 activities running
across 20 museums, and community outreach events happening throughout the summer holiday,
there will be lots to get involved with.
We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers who enjoy dealing with the public to help
support the programme in a variety of ways.
There are various volunteer opportunities at these museums in Cambridge:
Fitzwilliam Museum
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Museum of Classical Archaeology
Museum of Zoology (outreach activities in Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and
Whipple Museum)
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
Whipple Museum of the History of Science
Supporting in the Children and Young People’s Participation Service (ChYpPS) ‘Summer Daze’
outreach activities
Find out more about Summer at the Museums at www.cam.ac.uk/museums/summer
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Volunteer tasks will include:
 Setting up and clearing away visitor activities
 Greeting visitors/registering visitors for pre-booked activities
 Stewarding visitors and museum audiences
 Assisting families with workshop/activities
 Preparing materials for activities
 Assisting with evaluations/photo permission forms
What you will gain from this role
 Practical experience of working with museum visitors and staff
 Developing skills and experience within a University museum setting
 Joining a motivated, fun and enthusiastic team
 Valuable experience that will enhance your CV
 The opportunity to meet new people within your local community
 Satisfaction of giving back
Skills required
Volunteers from all backgrounds and experience are welcome, especially those who have an
interest in working in the Museum and Heritage Sector or in education. Confidence to interact
with the public and especially with children and families is a must. Some of the time you will be
working unsupervised, while also representing the museum to members of the public. You will
need to have good observation and conversation skills and have an eye for detail. Many of the
roles will involve moving around or standing.
Potential time commitment: Variable throughout Summer. Please note, there will be an
introduction session for these roles 3.30 – 4.30pm on Thursday 26 June which volunteers should
attend.
Location: Various University of Cambridge Museums and Cambridge City recreation grounds
(ChYpPS Summer Daze outreach activities)
Responsible to: Museum activity coordinator
Training and Support
We will provide you with training relevant for the particular museum and activity.
Health and safety responsibilities
You will be responsible for your own health and safety and that of others with whom you
volunteer, by reporting all potential and actual health and safety matters including accidents
using the correct procedures.
To Apply
Please return a completed Expression of Interest form (attached), outlining your availability 24
July – 3 September 2014 to Amanda Lightstone, Opening Doors Project Coordinator
opendoor@hermes.cam.ac.uk or University of Cambridge Museums, c/o The Fitzwilliam Museum,
Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB.
Please note, there will be an introduction session for these roles 3.30 – 4.30pm on
Thursday 26 June.
About the University of Cambridge Museums
University of Cambridge Museums is a consortium of the eight University Museums, which works
in partnership with the Cambridge University Botanic Garden and other Cambridge University
collections. They include: Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettle's Yard, Museum of Archaeology and
Anthropology, Museum of Zoology, Museum of Classical Archaeology, Whipple Museum of the
History of Science, The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences and The Polar Museum. The
University of Cambridge Museums is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
The University's collections are a world-class resource for researchers, students and members of
the public representing the country’s highest concentration of internationally important
collections, all within walking distance of the City Centre.