Museum Volunteer – VH215

Stalham Fire House Museum; Stalham; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local historical museum in Stalham is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist with sharing history, arranging displays, and updating the website. This role requires a commitment of at least two hours per week, especially during busy summer months. No prior experience is necessary, but a passion for history is essential. The museum offers a unique opportunity to engage with the local heritage and support community events.

Qualifications

• No prior experience necessary; training provided.
• Willing to commit to a minimum of two hours a week.
• Open to learning about history and helping with displays.

Responsibilities

• Assist in sharing history with visitors.
• Help with arranging displays and research.
• Support website updates and admin tasks.

Skills

Enthusiasm for history

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Imagination for updating the website

Job description

Role

We are all volunteers at the Museum. We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is interested in history, enjoys talking to people, lives locally and can commit to a minimum of two hours a week, also attending occasional volunteer meetings. No experience is necessary and the training comes mostly from reading the history supplied. We all share the responsibilities but we are really keen to utilise any skills the person may have from sharing our history with the visiting public, arranging displays, research, a knack for fundraising, manning stalls in the summer at the street events (3 times a year at present) or assisting in talks. We have four shifts in the season between Easter and the end of September for which we need an extra volunteer on each shift to back up the current volunteers for safety.

Therefore, we ideally need an extra volunteer for each of those days. We are open all through the summer holidays which is our busiest time, and bank holidays. We are closed on Wednesdays and Saturday only by appointment. In addition to supporting shifts, we need help with updating our website preferably with a bit of imagination and admin to assist the Secretary. However, any skills are welcome!

The season is between the beginning of the Easter Holidays so may vary slightly each year, until the last Friday in September. We are closed through the winter apart from pulling out the pump for the Yuletide Market the first Sunday in December. In the winter months we catch up on cleaning, rearranging displays, promotional talks etc.

Anyone interested in history who would be willing to visit the Heritage Centre and the Norfolk Records Office would be welcome as an archivist. We have two ex-firefighter volunteers which is an advantage but definitely not essential.

Time Commitment

A minimum of two hours a week but four if you are prepared to commit to a complete shift. The shifts are 10-2pm Monday, Tuesday and Friday and 10-12pm on Thursday. Therefore, we ideally need an extra volunteer for each of those days. We are open all through the summer holidays which is our busiest time, and bank holidays. We are closed on Wednesdays and Saturday only by appointment. In addition to supporting shifts, we need help with updating our website preferably with a bit of imagination and admin to assist the Secretary. However, any skills are welcome!

About the organisation

We are Stalham Firehouse Museum, tiny but a little gem, in Stalham High Street. It was built in 1833 to house a Tilley manual pump, becoming a registered charity after restoration in 2002. The present Trustees have been running the charity for nearly twelve years. The Firehouse is one of the oldest in Britain, and the oldest and smallest in the UK Network of Fire Museums. There has been a continuous fire brigade in Stalham since 1833 and is part of Stalham’s heritage. The Trust aims to repair, restore, improve and preserve the building. We look after an 1881 horse drawn manual pump which is leased to us. This is the main attraction, not the Stalham pump but identical in year and model. We attracted 947 visitors last year, some of whom were international. We especially attract the boat people.

How to apply

If you are interested in this role and would like to apply or would like more information, contact the Volunteer Hub at Merchants’ Place –

E: [e-mail]
T: 01263 519454

Alternatively, you can complete an online registration form and your details will be sent to us directly. A link for the form can be found on our Volunteer Hub page on our website.