Get involved

Volunteer at Chippenham Museum

Our team of over 60 volunteers are the backbone of our museum. Their roles range from meeting and greeting our visitors to getting involved with looking after the collections.

The frequency of volunteering with the museum can vary to suit individual needs, ranging from taking part in occasional activities to volunteering for a couple of hours every week.

We are always happy to discuss your individual interests and ways in which you may like to volunteer within the team. Please visit the museum, call 01249 705020 or email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk if you would like to discuss anything relating to volunteer opportunities.

What we can offer:

• Meeting new people as part of the Chippenham Museum volunteer team
• Opportunities to develop new or existing skills eg customer service
• References for future roles
• Opportunities to assist with other volunteering roles and projects
• Free parking and refreshments when volunteering
• Social events including summer and christmas volunteer parties
• Annual group trip to a museum/attraction
• Opportunity to build knowledge of the museum’s collection and the local area with programme of ‘Volunteer Bites’ short talks throughout the year

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Discovery Time Volunteer

Applications open until: Monday 17 February

Discovery Time is our weekly messy play session for under 5s and their parents/guardians on Monday mornings. The session is self-led with a range of activities to enjoy including sand, water and paint. The session is supervised by volunteers who create a warm and friendly welcome and offer assistance to parents and guardians when needed.

This role will include:
Creating a warm welcome
Monitoring activities and tidying / topping up as required
Helping to set-up / pack away event
The opportunity to develop activities for the session

What we are looking for:
This role would suit those with a friendly and approachable manner who would enjoy speaking with children and adults attending Discovery Time. No previous experience is necessary and full training will be given. However this role may be of interest to those who have experience of supporting family activities or want to develop experience in this area.

When:
We are looking for volunteers to support this session by volunteering for 3 hours on Monday mornings 9.30am – 12.30pm either weekly or fortnightly. Please note these sessions run throughout the school holidays but not on Bank Holiday Mondays.

How to apply:

Please download our Volunteer Application Form (paper copies are also available from museum) and return by Monday 17 February by email to heritage@chippenham.gov.uk , post to Chippenham Museum, 9 – 10 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire,  SN15 3HF or in person.

Alternatively, click here to apply via the Do It website.

Collections Volunteer

Applications open until: Sunday 1 March

Chippenham Museum holds approximately 35000 items which relate to the local history of Chippenham and surrounding Parishes. These items range in date from the Neolithic period to the present day and cover geology, archaeology, agriculture, trade and industry, educational, governance, domestic, artistic and recreational life of people in this area. The museum records all its objects in a digital collection catalogue called Modes. The museum has a backlog of objects to catalogue which will make them more accessible to the public.

This role will include:

• Handling objects from the collection
• Using a computer to make catalogue records in our Modes Database
• Carrying out basic research on objects being catalogued

What we are looking for:

The role would suit those with a close attention to detail and experience with computers. No previous experience with museum collections is necessary and full training will be given, however this role may be of interest to those who have previously volunteered or worked behind the scenes in museums or archives or want to develop their experience in this area.

When:

We are looking for volunteers to join us weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, from 10am – 1pm or 1 – 4pm. Volunteers are also able to undertake this role all day if they prefer. We anticipate this role to last between 3 and 6 months.

How to apply:

Please download our Volunteer Application Form (paper copies are also available from museum) and return by Sunday 1 March by email to heritage@chippenham.gov.uk , post to Chippenham Museum, 9 – 10 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire,  SN15 3HF or in person.

Alternatively, click here to apply via the Do It website.

Seasonal Visitor Welcome Volunteer

Applications open until: Sunday 18 April

Play a big part in helping visitors enjoy, understand and discover Chippenham’s past this summer as a Visitor Welcome Volunteer. This role is based at the museum and Yelde Hall and can be enjoyably varied, often shaped by the interests of visitors, and gives volunteers the opportunity to interact with visitors both from both the local area and all over the world.

This role will include:

• Greeting visitors and encouraging conversations to create a warm and friendly experience throughout a visit
• Answering questions where possible about the museum and local area
• Using a touch screen till in the museum shop and cash handling
• Stewarding exhibitions, helping visitors whilst also monitoring objects and interactives

What we are looking for:

This role would suit those with a friendly and approachable manner who would feel confident and enthusiastic when interacting with visitors. All volunteers receive training, however some knowledge of Chippenham and confidence with digital technology would be an advantage.

When:

This role will take place between June and October, with opportunities to join the team during the week and on Saturdays. Volunteers either join us for a regular time slot, weekly or fortnightly, or are flexible based on availability. The museum is open Monday to Saturday, with 3 hour volunteer sessions 10am to 1pm and 1pm to 4pm.

How to apply:

Please download our Volunteer Application Form (paper copies are also available from museum) and return by Sunday 18 April  by email to heritage@chippenham.gov.uk , post to Chippenham Museum, 9 – 10 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire,  SN15 3HF or in person.

Alternatively, click here to apply via the Do It website.

Friends of the Museum

Our friends group supports the museum by raising money, promoting activities and organising an enjoyable social programme. As well as a regular newsletter Friends are invited to exhibition openings, talks and special activities

If you are interested in joining the friends group, please click here to download and return an Application Form. Copies are also available from Chippenham Museum.

A copy of the Friends of Chippenham Museum’s Data Protection Policy can be viewed here.

A copy of the Friends of Chippenham Museum’s Constitution can be viewed here