Volunteer with us

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Much of the work at the Museum is carried out by our dedicated and valued team of volunteers. From looking after our unique collection of steam engines, archives and garden, to ensuring all our visitors are warmly welcomed and have unforgettable visits.

Volunteering with us will give you the opportunity to get involved in your local community, make friends or sharpen your skills. 

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with us, please email our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]

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Current volunteering opportunities

Waterworks Train Driver 

Help welcome visitors aboard the Thomas Wicksteed steam loco or the Alister diesel loco at the London Museum of Water & Steam.  

You will help provide visitors with a memorable experience and share the story of industrial narrow-gauge railways and their use within waterworks. Most importantly you help to keep them safe through the safe operation and maintenance of the railway. 

You will start as a Trainee Driver and undergo training and assessment before progressing to Driver and then Lead Driver. 

Tasks may include 

• Liaising with the Duty Manager to ensure a safe and well organised working day. 
• Providing a friendly greeting for all visitors. 
• Listening to visitors’ needs and helping them access the train safely. 
• Always ensuring the safety of the train and passengers.  
• Ensuring that the engine, carriage, track and infrastructure skip wagons are prepared and fit for service, reporting any defects found to the Duty Manager or Core LMWS team.  
• Driving the loco and undertaking safe departure and arrivals at the platform. 
• Completing end-of-day procedures to ensure that the train is left safe and secure overnight. 
• Ensuring that the engine shed is kept clean and tidy. 
• Ensuring that essential maintenance of the railway is undertaken, including weeding of the line and fuel management. 
• Ensuring that tickets are managed properly (punched) and each visitor riding the loco has secured a ticket (adults and children). 

Time Commitment 

This role is currently available Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays, 9.00am-4.30pm.  

Volunteers can book a full day shift with the number of days you undertake dependent on the available rota and on the time that you have available.  Training will be provided. 

This role will suit someone who … 

• Is interested in locomotives and industrial heritage. 
• Has good spatial awareness and attention to detail. 
• Has a full driving license. 
• Enjoys meeting new people and providing great visitor experiences. 
• Has keen listening and communication skills. 
• Has good conversational and clear spoken English.  
• Has a friendly and open attitude, willing to get involved and learn a range of new skills.  
• A willingness to get stuck in and to make a difference, helping the museum to achieve the standards and ambitions we aspire to. 
• A willingness to carry out tasks independently and as part of a team. 

Other information 

Full induction and training will be provided as required for the role. 

Specific training provided includes: 

• Safe operation of the locomotives  
• Personal Track Safety  
• Rules & Regulations of working on the railway  
• Hand signals whilst working on and around the railway  
• Health and Safety 
• How to complete relevant paperwork 

Safeguarding training will be provided and this role may be subject to a DBS check. 

You will start as a Trainee Driver and undergo training and assessment before progressing to Driver and then Lead Driver. 

London Museum of Water and Steam 

The London Museum of Water and Steam tells the story of London’s water supply, the site, its people and the amazing pumping engines that helped to make London the city it is today.  

Today the museum is at the heart of the community, working in partnership with community groups and welcoming many residents. 

For more information contact: 

The Collections Officer at [email protected]  

Welcome to The London Museum of Water & Steam

Visitor Welcome Assistants

We are looking for Visitor Welcome Assistants to help welcome visitors on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during the school holidays.

About the role: Your friendly face will be one of the first visitors see, as you greet visitors, answer questions, and ensure that they have the information that they need to help them make the most out of their visit.

Tasks may include:

• Providing a warm and friendly greeting for all visitors.
• Listening to visitors needs and helping them plan their visit.
• Assisting with ticket and shop sales, promoting Gift Aid with ticket transactions.
• Promoting the museum and current and future exhibitions and events to visitors.
• Helping with events and other visitor experience activities as needed.
• Taking responsibility for money handling and end of day till procedures.
• Taking customer surveys.

Time Commitment

This role is currently available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9.30am-4.30pm.

Volunteers can book a half day or full day shift, depending their availability. We would like a half-day commitment per week, preferably on the same day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• When can I volunteer?

  Our regular volunteering days are Thursday to Sunday, between 9:30-16:30. For most roles there is no need to commit to a particular day or amount of time. However, our Visitor Welcome Assistants do work on a shift basis, mornings 10:00-13:00 or afternoons 13:00-16:00.

• What is the minimum age for volunteering?

  Our minimum age for volunteering is 14 years old.

  Young people aged 14 to 16 years old need to be accompanied by a responsible adult, or have written parental consent if that adult is not your parent/guardian.

• What is the minimum age for operating any machinery?

  The minimum age to operate machinery is 16 years old. Anyone under 18 can only operate machinery under supervision.

• Do I need specific skills to volunteer at the museum?

  No, we have a range of roles available and welcome people will a wide array of skills and experiences. You do not need to have an engineering background to volunteer with us.

• Can I apply for multiple roles?

  Yes, of course you can. We appreciate all the time you can give and would love you to get involved with us in a range of ways if that is available to you.

• Do you provide training?

  You will receive an induction when joining the museum as a volunteer, including basic safety training. Our roles will provide you with hands on training, and where necessary role specific training days.