Our top ten reasons to volunteer at the Museum
Our volunteers are our lifeblood; we simply couldn’t run the Museum without them. If you’re thinking of joining the team, Learning Coordinator, Holly Power, gives her top 10 reasons why you should:
1) Support the Museum
Volunteers are integral to the fabric and history of the museum. A team of volunteers helped to set up the museum in 1973, and remain vital to the running of the museum today. They carry out a wide range of varied and invaluable roles such as engine drivers, train drivers, front of house duties, duty managers, education volunteers, gardening volunteers and many more.
2) Meet new people
Volunteering at the museum is a great way to meet new people. With over 100 active volunteers, socialising with each other is actively encouraged – whether over a cup of tea in the mess room or through working as a team to support the museum.
3) Join our community
There is a real sense of community amongst our staff and volunteers, and we really value your support and appreciate your feedback. Regular news is sent out to volunteers to update the wider team on information about the museum and volunteer meetings are held three times a year to share news and to answer any questions or queries you have.
4) Help us to preserve our heritage
Volunteers are essential in supporting the preservation of our unique collection of renowned pumping engines and the historic buildings of our site. Whether it is driving our collection of stationary engines for the public, or helping to restore and maintain the site and its engines, the museum’s heritage relies on our dedicated team of volunteers to help preserve us preserve it.
5) Learn new skills
Volunteering at the museum is a great way to learn new skills and develop confidence in a new area of expertise, whether you are retired and hoping to gain new skills or develop new skills to boost your cv. Volunteers are given regular feedback and contact time with museum staff, and each team of volunteers is led by a lead volunteer in order to ensure that everyone is supported in their role.
6) Broaden your CV
Volunteering at the museum is a great way to broaden your cv and make it stand out. There are a wide range of skills to be learnt through volunteering, and if there is anything in particular you are looking to gain experience in we are happy to discuss this with you further.
7) Contribute to your local community and do something worthwhile
Volunteering at the Museum is a great way to contribute to your local community. We receive no external funding, so all the support given to us by volunteers is an essential part of the museum’s success. Our standpipe water tour is an iconic landmark to many residents in the London Borough of Hounslow, and volunteers are essential to ensure that families and locals can continue to enjoy our museum and its collection.
8) Inspire a future generation
We are committed to preserving our industrial heritage for future generations to enjoy and to contribute towards London’s history. Volunteers are integral to helping us do so, whether by helping to restore and maintain our collection or by talking to the public to tell our story.
9) Use your skills to help the Museum
People volunteer at the Museum from a wide range of different backgrounds, no previous knowledge of steam engines required! However there are many different ways to use your skills built up through professional careers or personal interests to help the Museum flourish.
10) To have fun!
Volunteering at the museum is great fun, and no two days are ever the same.