Click on the links below to find out more about the Volunteer Programme.

• What do volunteers do?
• What training will I receive?
• Am I eligible?
• How do I apply?
• Will volunteering affect my state benefits?
• How often will I volunteer?
• Will I get ‘out of pocket’ expenses?
• Will volunteering lead to a job at the Museum?

What do Volunteers do?

Volunteers are part of our Front of House team. They play an important role in helping visitors to get the most from their visit by:

• Letting visitors know what they can see and what there is to do
• Assisting visitors to find their way around the Museum
• Helping to answer visitor questions
• Supporting visitors to use Your History – our computer information area
• Running our Information Station
As a volunteer it is important that, with our help and support, you are happy talking with and assisting visitors.

What training will I receive?

All volunteers who join the programme follow a Cultural Heritage course. The course is for people who don’t know much about museums but would like to know more.

• It lets you explore the Museum (what it does, what’s in it and how it works)
• Prepares you for volunteering – what you need to know and what to do.
• Lets you brush up on your English skills – if you didn’t get your O’Level, CSE or GCSE English it’s a great opportunity, you can also get an English qualification.

The course is run at the Museum for twelve weeks (one or two afternoons a week). A tutor from Salford College runs the course and Museum staff come into the sessions so you can find out what they do.

Half way through the Cultural Heritage course you start to volunteer in the Museum. We buddy you up with an existing volunteer who helps you settle into volunteering. You work with your buddy until you are happy and confident volunteering on your own.

We also run additional training and trips throughout the year for volunteers. This includes:

• Presentation Skills
• Basic Sign language
• Disability Etiquette
• First Aid
• Visits to Museums and Galleries in the North West.

Am I eligible?

You must:

• Live in the Greater Manchester area
• Want to brush up on your English skills
• Be over 16
• Be free during the week to attend the Cultural Heritage course.

This Programme is not suitable if you are a student or graduate looking for a work placement. Please click here for information on work experience placements.

How do I apply?

• We take Volunteers on in groups of around ten people.
• We run three intakes a year - February, May and September
• If you would like to register an interest in joining the Programme click here to download a short registration form, which should then be posted to us.
• Once we receive your form we will write to you to invite you to a taster session.

Will Volunteering affect my state benefits?

You are allowed to volunteer if you are on state benefits. If you are on JSA you will still need to be available for work. Please contact us if you would like more information.

How often will I volunteer?

• While you are undertaking training you will need to be free for at least two, possibly three, half days a week.
• Once your training is finished we ask for a minimum of half a day week
• There is no time limit to volunteering and once your training has finished volunteers can stay for as long as they want.

Will I get ‘out of pocket’ expenses?

The Programme funds volunteer related expenditure for:

• Travel – up to £5 a day. Taxis are only reimbursed in special circumstances and need to be agreed with the Volunteer Co-ordinator first.
• Lunch – up to £3.50 a day if you are here all day for training or volunteering.
• Childcare – up to £20 twice a week. This needs to be agreed with the Volunteer Co-ordinator first.

Will volunteering lead to a job at the Museum?

Volunteering does not necessarily lead to a job at the Museum. All jobs are advertised on the IWM’s website and in the local and national press. When a vacancy arises we put the details on the Volunteer noticeboard.