Holburne Volunteers

Volunteer Week

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National Volunteer Week at the Holburne Museum

Bath’s Holburne Museum is recognising National Volunteer Week (1 to 7 June 2013) by throwing a party for its 250 volunteers.

Since re-opening in 2011 the Museum has been delighted with the response to its call for volunteers. Spencer Hancock, Volunteer Manager, said “The task of recruiting enough volunteers to work with our small core team of staff to cover all areas of the Museum’s activity seemed daunting at first, but we have been overwhelmed by the positive response that we have had.
We have recruited volunteers of all ages and from a variety of past experiences and every single volunteer makes a positive contribution to life at the Museum. We are happy to admit that the Holburne just wouldn’t work without the donation of time and energy given by our amazing volunteer team.”

Holburne volunteers
Photograph: Bath Chronicle

Bob White is celebrating his first year of being a volunteer at the Holburne. A plasterer who took early retirement after an injury Bob has always given his free time to volunteering. He had just finished a five year volunteering stint at Bath Abbey before joining the team at the Museum. Bob said, “I’m a great talker and I love meeting people, history and learning and I’m able to indulge all of these interests in my volunteer role at the Museum.”

Karen Moss has been at the Holburne for 14 months, formerly the President of her own luxury clothing company, Karen researched potential volunteer roles before re-locating to Bath. She has been delighted with her choice to join the Holburne team, saying “I think that both the people and the building are terrific, I have met some fabulous people and made new friends.”

Bob Chippendale has been at the Museum for the two years since it re-opened and has enjoyed every moment. Formerly Chief Food Buyer for Birds Eye, Bob is happiest volunteering in the Picture Gallery where he says talking to the public is what he values, “The conversation is never limited to the eighteenth-century portraits, visitors are just as interested in the building, its architecture and history, as they are in the collection.

As a volunteer the Holburne makes me feel wanted and appreciated, everything that I contribute I get back, it is a very mutually beneficial relationship.”

Anna Steinbach and Maike Dieball are both Art History students from the University of Heidelberg, and have been volunteering at the Holburne for three months. Anna said, “Volunteering has opened my eyes to roles that might be open to me after graduating. I love the opportunity to work on events and meet people behind the scenes. For me, as I am far away from home, volunteering at the Holburne makes me feel like I am part of a big family.” Maike said, “I particularly enjoy meeting the other groups that support the Museum like the Patrons and the Friends, it is a real privilege to be part of Museum life.”

The Education Department at the Holburne has recently launched a series of exciting opportunities for volunteers. Vanessa Wells, Education Administrator said, “We are looking for help with activities for pre-school children from 0-5 years; help is also needed with school workshops for children aged from 5 years right up to 18 years or if you’re not free during term time perhaps being an Art Camp volunteer in the holidays might suit you better.
If you’re working full time and don’t think you have the time to volunteer why not get involved with our events at the weekend? We need volunteers for Saturday Art Club; Meet the Artist on a Sunday afternoon, Arty Parties, Family Tours and our one off family events throughout the year.
We are also looking for volunteers to help out with our adult workshops (usually at the weekends) and our Gardener’s Lodge Art Group (on a Wednesday afternoon) for those affected by homelessness. We are also looking for reliable volunteers who can come in and help us prepare materials for workshops and events. Whatever your skills or availability we have something for you to get involved in.”

Please contact Vanessa Wells, Education Administrator on or email v.wells@holburne.org for more details or an application form.

The Holburne Museum