We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us deliver experiences that will delight our visitors, young and old, and develop our ideas and audiences for the future. You’ll meet fascinating people, be part of some unique events and play an important role in helping The Story Museum come true – as well as gain some different skills and experience.
Join our Story!
This is what you'll get as a volunteer:
Want to know more? Here are brief descriptions of our current volunteer roles:
Volunteering at the Story Museum is fun as all the volunteers are friendly and work as a team.
Young volunteer application (under 18)
Volunteer application (over 18)
The Story Museum is committed to increasing the diversity of our creative programme, workforce and audiences to ensure the quality and impact of our work. As part of this commitment, we particularly welcome applications for employment and volunteering from individuals currently under-represented in our organisation and the wider sector. This includes people from the Global Majority specifically the African diaspora; South, East, and South East Asian diaspora; the Middle East and North Africa; people with disabilities including neurodivergence; people from the LGBTQIA+ community; and those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. When applying for a role we ask you to confirm if you identify with one of these communities. Our recruitment process is designed to offer fair access to employment at the museum and uses all permissible measures outlined in the Equalities Act 2010 to increase the diversity of our workforce.
Volunteering in lieu of work experience placements
We're always keen to hear from enthusiastic young people interested in getting involved with The Story Museum's work however due to the extremely high demand for work experience places we only offer placements through our strategic partnerships with selected schools. Some schools will allow you to complete a week’s intensive volunteering in lieu of completing a week during one of the predetermined work experience weeks. Please speak to your work experience coordinator to confirm that this is acceptable to them and then contact volunteer@storymuseum.org.uk providing details of your available weeks. We will try to accommodate your request, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee the availability of any placements.
Current volunteers log in here to access MyVolunteerPage
Books play a big part in my life, so to be able to volunteer with a lot of like-minded people is a treat!
There’s always something new and exciting to see, and amazing stories to discover.
Who manages volunteers at The Story Museum?
Ellie Godfrey is our Volunteer Coordinator.
Contact Ellie by emailing volunteer@storymuseum.org.uk
Why volunteer at The Story Museum?
People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the benefits of volunteering at The Story Museum:
How can I apply to become a volunteer?
Complete the application form on this page (see above) to create a ‘MyVolunteerPage’ account.
Once I’ve applied, how long is it until I can start volunteering?
Once you’ve signed up, our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch to arrange for you to come and see the Museum and have an induction. During that visit you'll see the Galleries, talk about what roles are required in each space and see if it’s a good fit!
If your role requires a DBS check this will happen after the visit to the Museum. Most roles don't require a DBS check unless you're in regular contact with the same group of children – we'll advise you if you need one.
How much time do I need to volunteer?
We offer a flexible volunteering programme, meaning you can volunteer with us as much as you are able - although we encourage you to volunteer as often as possible! However, please note that if you take a break, you will no longer be considered an active volunteer after 6 months.
What skills and experience do I need?
You don’t need to have any specific skills or experience but we’re looking for people who:
Can I get a qualification or an award?
We have a number of volunteers who volunteer at The Story Museum as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award, or Arts Award. We also provide references for volunteers.
Can I claim travel expenses?
Yes, up to £6 per day. If you volunteer for the Blue Sky Book Club scheme, all your travel expenses are covered.
Do I have to be a certain age to volunteer?
You must be over 13 to volunteer. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have permission from a guardian.
What about online volunteering?
We sometimes have opportunities for online volunteering with different departments. These are ad hoc so if you're interested, please indicate on your application form.
What happens if I change my mind?
You’re under no obligation to continue volunteering for us if you change your mind. However, we would ask that you speak to the Volunteer Coordinator first to see if you want to try a different role.
How are we making volunteering safe?
We carry out full risk assessments to ensure that we protect our staff, volunteers and visitors.
If you'd like to find out more, please contact Ellie Godfrey at volunteer@storymuseum.org.uk who'll be happy to help.