Volunteer stories

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What is it like to be a volunteer at Keswick Museum?

 

Our volunteers come to us at the beginning of their careers looking to build skills, in retirement as a way of giving their knowledge and experience back to the community, and everything in between.

We asked some of our volunteers why they choose to give their time to Keswick Museum, how they have contributed and what they have gained. Read some of their stories below.

Micky says: I learned about Keswick Museum from my boss who visited with her kids. She knew I was interested in getting some experience in a museum and suggested Keswick. I have only been a volunteer for a few months and the team have been absolutely brilliant and, knowing that I would like to work in the heritage industry one day, they have gone out of their way to expose me to skills and programs that will increase my knowledge and help me out in the future. Micky says: I have been helping with front of house and collections. This has involved greeting visitors, examining retail statistics, being available to answer visitor questions, checking physical documentation against digital records, learning the art of cataloguing, and lots of other things as they pop up! The opportunities to see other museums, via the Northern Volunteer Pass and special visits organised by Keswick Museum, is absolutely fantastic. Lorna says: I have been volunteering at Keswick Museum since my retirement from the Tourist Information Centre over 10 years ago, it was a way for me to stay connected to Keswick and its people. I thoroughly enjoy my role as Front of House volunteer, introducing the museum to visitors and helping with the shop. Lorna says: Volunteering has given me the opportunity to give something back to the community and a charity, and all the staff have been very friendly and welcoming during my time here. Sylvia says: I learnt of the volunteer roles through a friend who researches here. I was looking to volunteer somewhere after moving to Keswick, and am very interested in local history. I have developed new skills and enjoy sharing knowledge with visitors. It is always a pleasure to attend. Cathy says: I first thought about volunteering when I saw an interesting advert in the newspaper. I have volunteered in many places - libraries, museums and magazines. I had just published a book and I was looking for something to fill that gap. Cathy says: Over the year I have been involved in many things at Keswick Museum - sorting out photos, cards and letters, helping with new exhibitions, storing items and even cleaning an egg collection! Recently I have been involved collections work, checking physical inventories against the digital catalogue. I have also enjoyed conducting research about local places and people. Cathy says: I have learnt a great deal about the history of Keswick and the area. Working in the museum makes me feel useful in my later years! When I leave the village where I live and drive to Keswick, the views of the fells always give me a thrill. I know that I can spend a fruitful time here which is different from being at home. It's good to talk to different people.

Leonard says: I learned about volunteering at the museum online, having spent many years working in the field of museum documentation and information services, I thought that it would be useful and interesting to spend some time with a local museum to continue my professional interests. Leonard says: I have enjoyed working with a friendly and professional team of museum staff, and learning about collections management software. What I enjoy most in volunteering is the flexibility in the times I work and variety of work that I have been assigned. As a collections volunteer, I have responded to public enquiries about the collection and checked/updated the records in the museum database. Leonard says: Volunteering has given me a little bit of social contact which I would otherwise lack as a comparatively recent resident of Keswick. It has been interesting to learn about Keswick and its history. It was encouraging and satisfying to find that although a small museum, the staff are professionally competent, knowledgeable about best practices and standards, and participating in national projects. Peter says: Following redundancy/early retirement, my wife suggested that there might be a role for me in Museum work. As we both love Keswick and the surrounding area, this seemed the one for me. Volunteering at Keswick Museum has felt like a new lease of life. Peter says: I began helping on the collections side, and a little later was persuaded to give the reception desk a try also. Both have greatly improved my confidence. I have a sense that I'm making a contribution to this lovely little museum, and I greatly value the kindness and respect shown to me and everyone there. I find it a very positive place. 

Join Us

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please download our Application Form – then email it to us at operations@keswickmuseum.org.uk or telephone us on 017687 73263.

You can also send an email using the enquiry form the bottom of this page.