Volunteering at the Lapworth Museum of Geology

The Lapworth Museum of Geology is one of the oldest specialist geological museums in the UK and contains some of the finest collections of rocks, fossils, and minerals. Following a £2.7 million redevelopment, the museum provides an inspiring and accessible insight into how the Earth formed and changed through time, and how life on Earth developed.

Volunteers are one of the key strengths of the museum, and we benefit from their diverse skills and experience, and the enthusiasm and commitment that they bring to the Museum Team. We are seeking new volunteers to join our team as soon as possible and support the aims and activities of this well established specialist geological museum. 

We are looking for creative and talented volunteers to join our team to help design and promote marketing materials for events hosted by the museum, such as film nights, quizzes, musical performances, and more. Your talents can help us enhance awareness and engagement for our events through visually appealing and impactful marketing efforts. The museum is committed to providing volunteer opportunities that are mutually beneficial and rewarding, with valuable skills, knowledge and experiences to help support personal and professional development. As a volunteer, you will become an integral part of our team. We will provide an induction process for all new volunteers and appropriate guidance. As well as ongoing involvement with museum staff, there are regular social activities for volunteers. 

Prospective applicants must be over 18 years old and register their interest via email at lapworth@contacts.bham.ac.uk. We will be accepting applications for the roles indicated below on an ongoing basis until they have been filled.

Creative Design Volunteer - Photographer/Videographer

A group of dancers perform the traditional Indian dance Bharatanatyam

Volunteers will:

  • Capture high-quality photos and videos of museum events and exhibits for promotional use.
  • Edit photos and videos using software like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
  • Source and integrate copyright-free music into video content for social media.
  • Collaborate with museum staff to ensure visual content aligns with museum branding.

Essential Skills:

  • Proficiency in photo and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro).
  • Knowledge of copyright-free music resources.
  • Strong creativity and an eye for detail.
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Note: Necessary software for this role will be provided by the museum.

Desirable Skills:

  • Good knowledge of social media marketing.
  • Ability to create short-form video content (e.g., reels, TikToks).
  • Knowledge of lighting and sound equipment for video production.
  • Previous volunteer or work experience in a similar creative role.

Time Commitment:

  • Minimum Weekly Hours Required: 3 hours per week
  • Length of Commitment: Ongoing
  • Flexibility: Schedule can be flexible based on the volunteer's availability.

Benefits for Volunteers:

  • Gain hands-on experience in creative media production.
  • Build a professional portfolio showcasing your work for a respected institution.
  • Network with professionals and other creatives in the field.
  • Contribute to the promotion of cultural and educational events, making a positive impact in the community.
  • Be part of an active and diverse volunteer team within an award-winning museum.

To express interest: Please email a CV, brief cover letter, and examples of previous related work to lapworth@contacts.bham.ac.uk. Suitable candidates will be invited for an informal interview.

Creative Design Volunteer - Illustrator/Graphic Designer

A dinosaur skeleton with a galaxy light background

Volunteers will:

  • Design original graphics, illustrations, and promotional materials inspired by the museum’s collections and upcoming events.
  • Create engaging social media posts, banners, and advertisements to promote events.
  • Work closely with the museum team to develop cohesive marketing campaigns.
  • Ensure all designs align with the university and museum branding guidelines.

Essential Skills:

  • Proficiency in graphic design and illustration tools (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva).
  • Strong creativity and an eye for detail.
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Note: Necessary software for this role will be provided by the museum.

Desirable Skills:

  • Good knowledge of social media marketing.
  • Skills in print design (e.g., brochures, flyers).
  • Ability to quickly produce concept sketches or storyboards.
  • Previous volunteer or work experience in a similar creative role.

Time Commitment:

  • Minimum Weekly Hours Required: 3 hours per week
  • Length of Commitment: Ongoing
  • Flexibility: Schedule can be flexible based on the volunteer's availability.

Benefits for Volunteers:

  • Gain hands-on experience in creative media production and design.
  • Build a professional portfolio showcasing your work for a respected institution.
  • Network with professionals and other creatives in the field.
  • Contribute to the promotion of cultural and educational events, making a positive impact in the community.
  • Be part of an active and diverse volunteer team within an award-winning museum.

To express interest: Please email a CV, brief cover letter, and examples of previous related work to lapworth@contacts.bham.ac.uk. Suitable candidates will be invited for an informal interview.

 

A volunteer helping in the archives

Hear from a Volunteer

'The Museum holds an extensive archive of material relating to all aspects of Charles Lapworth's life including his research, teaching, and consultancy work; as well as giving an insight into his personal life and the social history of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

I have been a volunteer with the museum for five years, mainly in the archives but also have had the opportunity to be involved in other activities, such as contributing to the Object of the Month series.

I participated in the recent Unlocking Lapworth's Legacy Project, funded by Archives Revealed, which catalogued the archive material. It proved to be surprisingly relevant and relatable to modern concerns. For example, letters dealing with the significant mental and physical health problems Lapworth lived with 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 written concerning a request for some 'geological gossip ', the 19th century equivalent of a water cooler moment or perhaps WhatsApp message.”

Catriona

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.