Volunteering
Our volunteers help make great things happen at Dorset Museum every day.
Why not become a part of it all by sharing your expertise and enthusiasm with us?
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved – from engaging with our visitors to working in teams behind the scenes. Volunteers support our staff in caring for, conserving and protecting the Museum’s collection of four million objects. They take visitors on tours, help us to make activities and events special, and educational visits unforgettable.
Dorset Museum is committed to an Equal Opportunities Policy and welcomes adult volunteers of every religion, gender, race, disability or background.
The Museum offers a limited number of volunteer student placements each year, usually during the summer. If you would like to be considered for a summer student placement, please contact us for further information.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering is valuable. It supports the Museum’s vital work and our vision of helping more people to explore and enjoy Dorset’s heritage. It’s great for our volunteers too – a chance to become part of a thriving team, meet new people, learn new skills and share your expertise.
Our volunteers also enjoy:
- Free refreshments when on duty.
- Regular social events.
- Monthly volunteer newsletter.
- Working with and supporting a nationally important collection.
- 10% discount in our shop and TASTE café.
On completion of 50 volunteer hours a year, a pass which entitles you to:
- Unlimited free entry to the Museum outside your volunteering hours
We hope you feel inspired to find out more. Let us know if you are interested by completing the Volunteer Application Form below and one of our Volunteering Team will be in touch with you soon.
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Opening hours:
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Daily: 10.00am - 5.00pm
TASTE Café
Daily: 9.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
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Admissions:
10% discount for Adult and Young Person Unlimited Ticket booked online using discount code DM01
BOOK ONLINE SAVE 10% -
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For more information
[email protected]
Current Opportunities
Welcome Host
The role of the Welcome Host Gallery Steward is to be present within the atrium to welcome visitors and provide orientation information and general guidance and support to enhance the visitor experience. The Welcome Host is responsible for answering visitors’ enquiries, helping with way-finding and alerting the Visitor Services or Facilities teams to any maintenance or security issues that may arise.
Gallery Steward
The role of the Gallery Steward is to be present within the permanent and temporary exhibition galleries to welcome visitors and provide guidance and support when needed. The Gallery Steward is responsible for answering visitors’ enquiries, helping with way-finding and alerting the Visitor Services team to any maintenance or security issues that may arise.
Volunteer Stories
Learning Support Volunteer
“I was a teacher before I retired and it’s really wonderful to be in the company of young people. That’s what I enjoy the most. Their enthusiasm and excitement when they visit the museum is absolutely infectious.”
“There are lots of reasons why I volunteer. It’s an opportunity to make use of the skills I have developed over years of work. It’s also something that makes me feel useful and connected to the community.”
Beth | Learning Support Volunteer and Gallery Steward
Gallery Steward
“I have lived in Dorset for over 45 years, and it is so lovely to be able to talk about it as it is such a lovely area! Volunteering at the Museum has meant I have been able to learn all kinds of new things about Dorset’s archaeology, natural history and art and it is so rewarding to be able to share this information with others.”
“You get to interact with so many people – visitors, other volunteers, but also people working in other departments across the Museum. It is a lovely group of people, and each person has their own interests, background and knowledge – if you don’t know something, someone else will!”
Maggi | Visitor Welcome Volunteer and Gallery Steward
Collections Volunteer
Freda and the team have worked through the Museum’s extensive collection of Human Remains, repacking them all to modern standards to that they can be preserved and available for future researchers.
“We started at the beginning and worked right through to the end of this project, and that has been extremely satisfying for me.”
“To people thinking about volunteering with Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, I say: give it a go! We are so lucky to have this collection on our doorstep, and no matter what your skill set, there will be a role for you – and every little helps!”
Freda | Archaeology Collections Volunteer