Volunteering

Volunteers are integral and valued members of the Horniman team assisting us in both visitor-facing roles and vital work behind-the-scenes.

Along with a supportive learning environment, we offer the chance to gain new skills and experience or simply to do something you enjoy.

Current vacancies

Engage volunteer

This is a regular, visitor-facing role in our Natural History and World galleries helping to bring our displays and objects to life and enabling visitors to have a richer, more hands-on experience. An Engage volunteer shift also involves helping visitors understand the behaviour of insects in the Butterfly House and, with further training, marine life in the Aquarium.

We are looking for people with good spoken English, a friendly manner and willingness to learn. See the attached role description for more details and how to apply.

Tree Guardian volunteer

If you are particularly interested in trees, maintaining shrub borders and creating wildlife habitats, this is the role for you.

This is a weekly opportunity on a Friday afternoon to join a small group who will be working independently across the extensive Horniman Gardens and on our nature trail – one of the oldest in London.

See the attached role description for more details and how to apply.

We can only accept applications when volunteering roles are advertised.

Find any current roles on this page.

We take volunteers from age 18 upwards and there is no upper age limit.

No. Volunteer roles are different from staff roles and do not lead to paid work.

However, they do provide an opportunity to gain skills and experience.

We reimburse out-of-pocket travel expenses up to a maximum of £12 per day.

Volunteers offering a full day shift can also be reimbursed lunch expenses.

For on-going roles which are usually weekly or fortnightly, like Engage, Family Learning or Gardening, we ask for a minimum of 5 months.

Fixed term placements last 3 months, doing 1-3 days a week.

No, we regret we do not have the capacity to provide work experience, such as those requiring a few days or 1 – 3 weeks.

Yes, you may volunteer whilst on benefits, but you would need to let the Job Centre know about your volunteering.

The Horniman acknowledges the contribution of volunteers in supporting the organisation to achieve its aim to connect people with global cultures and the natural world, and encourage everyone to shape a positive future for the world we all share.

Read the Volunteering Policy (PDF – opens in this window).