About

Join our volunteer community and help make the Museum a place of wonder, learning and belonging for everyone. Whether you’re welcoming visitors, supporting our programmes, helping at events, or sharing our collections, there’s a role for you.

“Being a volunteer at the museum gives me a sense of fulfilment and I value communicating with diverse groups. I have made wonderful friends and feel so confident in sharing what I have learned with our visitors to our amazing museum. I love our museum community and being a volunteer give me so much happiness and gratitude.” Museum volunteer Ann.

Why volunteer with us?

Volunteering at Manchester Museum offers a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant and inclusive community. You’ll have the chance to contribute to our work, learn about our values, and make a real difference in the experiences of our visitors. Along the way, you can develop new skills, expand your knowledge, build connections, and take part in a variety of meaningful roles while being part of a welcoming and supportive team.

What our volunteers do

We offer a range of opportunities to get up close to objects, support the care and conservation of our collections, and connect our programmes to diverse audiences:

• Object handling – help visitors explore real objects up close, spark curiosity and share the stories of our collections.

• Welcome volunteers – provide a warm welcome to visitors from around the world, offer information, and help everyone feel confident navigating the Museum.

• Support engagement programme – assist with events, workshops and activities that engage visitors of all ages.

• Hands-on experience – build skills through a variety of volunteer roles, contributing to core Museum work, such as environmental action and social justice.

• Behind-the-scenes support – a small team of volunteers provide support to staff on tasks such as labelling, cataloguing and collections projects to improve access to our objects and records.

“Volunteering at the Museum gives me so much: a sense of community, lasting friendships, constant inspiration, an ongoing education, and the deep satisfaction of sharing what I know with our visitors.” Museum volunteer Sally.

Benefits of Volunteering

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and aim to provide rewarding and enriching experiences for all. We offer flexible commitment and our roles are valued across the organisation. There are many benefits to volunteering with us, as a volunteer you can:

• Learn about the Museum, our collections and world cultures.

• Gain new skills.

• Make friends and meet people from around the world.

• Share your passion and enthusiasm.

• Be part of a friendly team.

• Access exclusive events and training for volunteers.

• Join a collaborative and inclusive community committed to inspiring change.

How do I become a Manchester Museum Volunteer?

We recruit at different times throughout the year and will announce this on our website and social media channels. We actively encourage you to check our website for regular updates and follow our social media channels.

Need help?

Email us at museumvolunteers@manchester.ac.uk and we’ll aim to reply in 10 working days.

For more information about careers and work experience opportunities please click here.

“Volunteering at Manchester Museum has given me a real sense of belonging and connection to a place I have known since childhood. I feel part of a valued community, with access to a range of training sessions, including Visual Awareness and accessibility-focused workshops.” Museum volunteer Neala.