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

Communications Volunteer (Volunteering Team)

Closing date: 02/04/2023

This role, based in our small, friendly volunteering team, will focus on showcasing their talents as well as involvement in work to improve our volunteers’ experience. You will have lots of scope to develop the role, be creative and get hands on with day to day activity.

To apply, please ask for an application form by emailing volunteering@horniman.ac.uk with ‘Communications Volunteer’ in the subject line.

  • Apply by Sunday 2 April 2023
  • Interviews will take place Wednesday 12 April

Egyptian Collections Volunteer

Closing date: 11/04/2023

The collections Team is looking for volunteers to support the AHRC-funded project called ‘Mobilising Collections Histories for Institutional Change: Egypt at the Horniman Museum’. The project will undertake a critical social history, characterisation, and appraisal of Egyptian objects at the Horniman Museum. The Egyptian Collections volunteer will be assisting in the survey at the Horniman Museum store in Greenwich. You will be supporting a friendly team and get hands on with some of the Horniman Museum collections.

To apply, please ask for an application form by emailing volunteering@horniman.ac.uk with ‘Egyptian Collections Volunteer’ in the subject line.

  • Closing date for applications: 11 April 2023
  • Interviews will take place on 19 May 2023
  • Induction will take place on 26 May 2023

 

Engage volunteer

Closing date: 16/04/2023

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 a willingness to learn.

To apply, please ask for an application form by emailing volunteering@horniman.ac.uk with ‘Engage Volunteer’ in the subject line.

  • Apply by Sunday 16 April 2023
  • A group selection session will be held on Wednesday 26 April
  • Inductions will be held on the 3 and 5 May 2023

Family and Public Events Volunteer

The Events team plans and deliver a varied programme throughout the year and we are looking for volunteers to support us with its delivery. This role would involve supporting the Events team with ticketed workshops, free drop-in activities, family festivals and adults’ programmes.

To apply, please ask for an application form by emailing volunteering@horniman.ac.uk with ‘Events Volunteer’ in the subject line.

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 Activity or Gardening, we ask for a minimum of 4-5 months if possible.

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

We are able to provide a few work experience opportunities for school students each year, depending on capacity. Enquiries should be sent to schools@horniman.ac.uk

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).