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

Gardening for wellbeing volunteer

Closing date: 28/05/2023

The community team is looking for volunteers to will assist with the delivery of a weekly outdoor course in the Horniman Gardens, designed for local people who are socially isolated and/or enduring mental ill health. Volunteers will join a friendly team and receive appropriate training.

To apply

  • Please contact volunteering@horniman.ac.uk to request an application form.
  • This role is selective, and we will hold informal interviews.
  • Please put ‘Gardening for Wellbeing volunteer’ as the subject line of your email.

Apply by Sunday 28 May.

Digitisation volunteer - Beryl de Zoete collection

Closing date: 28/05/2023

The collection team is currently looking for volunteers with an interest in digitising collection information and images; the purpose of this volunteer role is to help with scanning a large collection of photographic negatives produced in the early and mid-20th century by the dance anthropologist Beryl de Zoete during her fieldwork in Bali.

To apply

  • Please contact volunteering@horniman.ac.uk to request an application form.
  • This role is selective, and we will hold informal interviews.
  • Please write ‘Digitisation Volunteer’ as the subject line of your email.

Apply by Sunday 28 May. 

 

Family Activity Volunteer

Closing date: 04/06/2023

The Horniman welcomes a wide range of people to the museum each year including many young families. Family Activity volunteers help with the delivery of our weekly Saturday drop-in craft activities inspired by the Museum’s collections, themes and values.

To apply

  • Please contact volunteering@horniman.ac.uk to request an application form.
  • This role is selective, and we will hold informal interviews
  • Please put ‘Family Activity Volunteer’ as the subject line of your email

Apply by Sunday 4 June

Outdoor Learning Volunteer

Closing date: 04/06/2023

The Horniman’s Formal Learning Team is looking for confident and enthusiastic volunteers to help us trial outdoor learning resources for self-led school groups and evaluate their effectiveness. This is an opportunity for anyone who is looking to gain experience of outdoor learning and evaluation.

To apply

  • Please contact volunteering@horniman.ac.uk to request an application form.
  • This role is selective, and we will hold informal interviews.
  • Please put ‘Outdoor Learning Volunteer’ as the subject in your email.

Apply by Sunday 4 June.

Engage volunteer

Closing date: 25/06/2023

The Horniman welcomes a wide range of people to the museum each year including many young families. Engage volunteers help bring our collections and displays to life and enable visitors to have a richer, more hands-on experience at the Museum. All necessary training is given – no prior experience is needed.

To apply

  • Please contact volunteering@horniman.ac.uk to request an application form.
  • Apply by 25 June
  • A group selection session will be held on Friday 30 June
  • Induction will be held on 11 July 2023

We can only accept applications when volunteering roles are advertised.

Find any current roles on this page.

We take volunteers from age 15 upwards though some roles will only be available to those aged 18 and over. Where this is the case, this will be clear on the role description. 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).