The Bowes Museum > About > Jobs & Volunteering > Voluntary and Placement Opportunities

Volunteering at The Bowes Museum

Thank you so much for taking the time to look at our volunteering page!

We are currently taking the time to catch up, evaluate our volunteer roles and ensure that we are supporting our current volunteers in the best way that we can. If you are interested in volunteering at The Bowes Museum, it is possible that we may not be able to accommodate you right away, however we would still love to hear from you as it may be possible to accommodate you to work on an existing project or we can keep your details until a suitable volunteering opportunity arises.  

Please email HR@thebowesmuseum.org.uk along with a bit about yourself, your skills and passions, and why you would like to volunteer at The Bowes Museum.

With huge thanks for your interest in volunteering with The Bowes Museum, and for your patience and understanding whilst we try to catch up with things. 

We are however, able to accommodate the following specific volunteer roles:

Media / Press Relations Department We are looking for a dedicated and articulate volunteer to support the wide-ranging scope of the team. Duties will include monitoring and updating various methods used to advertise our exciting exhibitions and events programme and our many Press Releases, cataloguing previous Press Releases, and updating databases.  Good computer skills are highly desirable. If you are interested in assisting us on a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday we look forward to receiving your application.

Education Department We are looking for someone to assist with the Education department’s programme of schools workshops and family events, as well as the preparation of activities. Duties could include assisting education staff meeting and greeting schoolchildren, supporting the delivery of schools workshops and helping with craft activities at drop in events and on family fun days (including set up and tidying away after events). We may also have some opportunities for volunteers to prep materials for sessions and complete admin tasks in the Education office. For more info, please contact education@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or telephone 01833 694602.

Little Treasures We require a volunteer to support the delivery of the Little Treasures toddler group sessions between 10.00am – 12.00pm on Thursdays. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is keen to work with young children (under 5) and their parents/carers in a fun and friendly environment. Weekly duties will include the preparation of snacks, assistance with crafts and helping to tidy the space after the sessions. More information about the Little Treasures group can be found in the Learning section of our website. For more information or for an application form, please email education@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or call 01833 690 606 ext. 241

Placement Opportunities

If you are interested in or studying towards a career in the arts or working in museums, a placement at The Bowes Museum may be something you would like to consider. We can offer opportunities across a range of departments and will provide support in your career development so that you can develop the relevant skills and knowledge required for your course.

What could you do?
There are many opportunities at The Bowes Museum; here are some of the departments that may be able to offer voluntary opportunities:

  • Library and Archives
  • Fine Art
  • Fashion and Textiles
  • Ceramics
  • Conservation
  • Administration
  • Education
  • Front of House (Reception etc)
  • Volunteer Guide
  • Marketing

How to apply
If you would like to become a volunteer or carry out your placement at The Bowes Museum, you will be required to complete an application pack (consisting of an application form and an equal opportunities monitoring form) so that we can best match your skills and interests to the relevant department. We may not be able to offer all applicants a place immediately; volunteer opportunities are dependent on staff time and availability to supervise and support individuals.

For an application pack please either download one from this page and submit by post or email, or directly contact:
Kim Bartram
Human Resources Officer
The Bowes Museum
Barnard Castle
County Durham
DL12 8NP
Tel: 01833 694610

kim.bartram@thebowesmuseum.org.uk 


Thank you for considering volunteering at The Bowes Museum and we look forward to hearing from you.