Join our team of enthusiastic volunteers and help connect people with history, culture, and heritage. Whether you're passionate about storytelling, cataloguing, or preserving collections, we'd love to welcome you. Volunteering with us offers a chance to make a real impact while learning new skills and meeting like-minded individuals.
Current volunteer roles
Herefordshire Museums and Galleries are currently offering 11 exciting new volunteer roles across our sites. These opportunities provide a chance to work with our collections, support research, and help bring local heritage to life.
The roles are based at the History Store, Old House Hereford or home.
To request a role description, expression of interest form or for more information, please contact herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk
The closing date is 12pm on Monday 8 June 2026.
Roles based at the History Store
- Battling the backlog in the social history collection
- Best foot forward (costume and textiles)
- Cataloguing the creatures (natural science)
- Decorative arts research
- Domestic bliss (social history)
- Entomology cataloguing
- Letters to the curator (costume and textiles)
- Patterns of history (costume and textiles)
- Social history cataloguing: music and instruments
Roles based at home
- Bedcover (costume and textiles)
- Decorative arts research
- Letters to the curator (costume and textiles)
Roles based at Old House Hereford
- Improving visitor experiences: bringing the Old House to life.
What we offer
Volunteering with us is a rewarding experience, offering you:
- Training and support: All necessary training is provided for your role, including health and safety.
- Flexibility: Roles typically require 2.5 to 5 hours per week, and flexible schedules can suit your availability.
- Benefits: Free entry to the Old House Hereford, social events, and opportunities to develop new skills and meet others.
Future opportunities
If the current roles don't quite suit, don't worry. New volunteer projects are advertised every six months, so there will be more opportunities to get involved soon. Check back with us each June and November for the next round of opportunities.
Work experience
Are you curious about how museums work behind the scenes? Each year, we offer two one-week work experience placements for students aged 16+.
These placements are perfect for anyone interested in gaining valuable skills, exploring creative or operational careers, and experiencing the dynamic world of museums. You'll follow a structured timetable covering a variety of activities, including:
- Collections management and documentation
- Exhibition planning and setup
- Visitor services and engagement
- Behind-the-scenes operations
Whether you're interested in history, science, art, business, or simply want to try something new, this is a unique opportunity to explore what it takes to run a museum.
Please email herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk for details about our work experience programme.
University and graduate placements
We welcome applications from undergraduate and graduate students seeking placements as part of their studies or early career development. These opportunities are handled on an individual basis and tailored to suit the needs of both the student and the museum.
Whether you're studying history, archaeology, museum studies, art, education, or another related field, we're happy to discuss how we can support your learning goals through hands-on experience in a professional museum setting.
If you're interested in a placement, please email us at herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk to discuss your requirements and how we can support your learning.
Special educational needs (SEN) placements
We are committed to creating inclusive opportunities for students with special educational needs. Our placements are designed to provide a supportive and enriching environment, tailored to individual needs and abilities.
Whether you're interested in learning new skills, gaining confidence, or exploring career paths, we'll work closely with you, your school, or your educational support team to create a placement that meets your goals.
Activities can include:
- Hands-on experience with museum collections
- Supporting visitor engagement
- Exploring creative projects and behind-the-scenes operations
If you're interested in an SEN placement, please email us at herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk to discuss how we can support you.