Volunteering at the Lapworth Museum
We benefit from the diverse skills, enthusiasm, and commitment that our volunteers bring!
We are not currently seeking volunteers, but feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
Volunteer Coordinator - Catriona
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“I have been a volunteer for five years, mainly in the archives but also contributing to the Object of the Month series. I participated in the Unlocking Lapworth's Legacy Project, funded by Archives Revealed, which catalogued the Museum's extensive archive of material relating to all aspects of Charles Lapworth's life. It proved to be surprisingly relevant and relatable to modern concerns, such as letters dealing with Lapworth's significant mental and physical health problems throughout his long and highly successful career. Any communication captures a moment in time, but there is a particular pleasure to be gained from holding a handwritten letter and reading what one of Lapworth's closest academic collaborators has recorded concerning some 'geological gossip ', the 19th century equivalent of a water cooler moment or perhaps WhatsApp message.”
Archive Volunteer - Dorothy
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“Hello, my name is Ziyuan Cai, but you can call me Dorothy. I am a PhD student in the Department of History at the University of Birmingham, with a research focus on community engagement in Chinese museums. I am an Archive Volunteer, currently working on the Charles Ketley and Sir Charles Holcroft material, which has deeply impressed me. Every piece of paper still shows the original owner’s meticulous care, with everything neatly recorded in a diligent hand. Stepping into the Museum feels like entering a portal to the 19th and 20th centuries, where every building seems to revert to its appearance in old black and white photos; stepping out brings me back to the landscape of 2024, modern and vibrant, yet the academic atmosphere remains unchanged. I am very happy at such a magical museum and have enjoyed meeting a group of like-minded and friendly colleagues.”
Digitisation Volunteer - Kyle
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“I'm a current student in Palaeontology and Geology at the University of Birmingham, working as a volunteer on an ambitious fossil digitisation project at the Lapworth Museum. I have a passion for 3D modelling and printing, and aim to apply these techniques with my skills in palaeontology. My work will help record fossils which are fragile or on loan from external institutions, enabling the permanent preservation of these important specimens for display and educational purposes.”
Curatorial Volunteer - Roy
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“I have undertaken a variety of curatorial tasks whilst volunteering at the Lapworth Museum, including work on the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery collection of gemstones, and the Matthew Boulton collection.”
Our Expectations
We expect the Lapworth Museum volunteers to treat the Museum collections with respect and sensitivity. We expect the volunteers to be polite and courteous to the public/visitors, other volunteers, staff, and students. We expect volunteers to observe the Lapworth Museum procedures-policies-standards. We hope that our volunteers will commit an appropriate time to their volunteering activities. Further details are available in our Volunteer Guidelines and Volunteer Agreement which you will receive when you begin volunteering.