Volunteer
For an informal chat or more information:
Volunteering at Sharpe’s
We believe that the most meaningful partnerships are built upon active involvement, shared values and fun!
We are looking for flexible, enthusiastic and friendly individuals to join our team of fantastic volunteers!
As a small charity, with a small team, volunteers have the chance to get involved in a bit (or a lot!) of everything and your contributions, no matter how big or small, are so valuable and important to us!
Opportunities range from greeting visitors, cleaning the toilets, leading tours and researching our collections!
Read more about the types of things you can get involved in as part of our team below!
Visitor Welcome
As part of the team, visitor welcome volunteers greet guests, provide basic information about the museum and its exhibitions, and help visitors find their way around the site.
They may also share interesting facts about the museum’s pottery heritage, support events, and help ensure the public spaces remain tidy and inviting. By offering a friendly and helpful presence, visitor welcome volunteers help make every visit to the museum memorable!
Collections and Exhibitions
Volunteers support the care, organisation, and presentation of the museum’s pottery collections. Working alongside staff, volunteers may assist with cataloguing objects, basic research, preparing items for display, and helping to install or refresh exhibitions. They may also help with documenting artefacts through photography or updating collection records.
This role helps ensure the museum’s historic pottery and archive materials are well cared for and accessible for visitors, researchers, and future exhibitions.
Learning
Learning volunteers support the museum’s educational activities and help visitors of all ages engage with local pottery heritage. Working with staff, they assist with school visits, family workshops, and hands-on learning sessions, helping to prepare materials and guide participants through activities.
Learning volunteers help create a welcoming and interactive environment where visitors can explore the history, craft, and stories behind the museum’s collections.
Retail
Retail volunteers help support the museum shop and provide a friendly service to visitors. As part of the team, volunteers assist customers with purchases, help keep the shop area tidy and well stocked, and share information about products inspired by the museum’s pottery heritage. They may also help with displaying merchandise and supporting busy periods or events.
This role helps enhance the visitor experience while contributing to the museum’s fundraising and sustainability.
Fundraising
Fundraising volunteers help support the museum’s ongoing work by assisting with activities that generate income and community support. Working with staff and other volunteers, they may help organise fundraising events, promote donation campaigns, assist with grant research, or support membership and sponsorship initiatives.
This role helps ensure the museum can continue to care for its collections, run events, and share the rich pottery heritage of the area with visitors and the local community.
Events
Events volunteers help support the planning and delivery of a range of activities and special events throughout the year. Working alongside staff and other volunteers, they may assist with setting up event spaces, welcoming visitors, providing information, and helping activities run smoothly on the day or night.
From family workshops to seasonal celebrations, events volunteers play an important role in creating enjoyable experiences that engage the local community and bring the museum’s pottery heritage to life.
Team Responsibility:
As a team, all volunteers and staff members are responsible for:
- Keeping the museum clean, tidy and safe
- Engaging with visitors
- Encouraging donations, sales and promoting activities and events
- Collecting and analysing feedback
- Collecting Visitor Data such as visitor numbers
What’s in it for me?
In volunteering for our museum you can benefit from:
- Joining a fantastic team of volunteers, staff and trustees
- Experience a unique heritage building from a new perspective
- Have the opportunity to influence positive change in a unique heritage environment
- Volunteer Discounts
- CPD and Training Opportunities
Whether you’re looking to meet new people, give time back to your community, gain new skills, or build on existing ones, we’ve got an opportunity for you!