We're marking Volunteers' Week 2023 with a big 'thank you' to our wonderful volunteers!
2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), when we join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ we hope to encourage people to be the change that we want to see and get involved in volunteering at one of Hertsmere's four museums.
Bushey Museum and Art Gallery, Elstree and Borehamwood Museum, Potters Bar Museum, and Radlett and District Museum are run entirely by volunteers who bring our local history to life, but they need more enthusiastic people to help.
Councillor Parveen Rani, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene, Parks, Leisure and Culture, said: "The contribution of volunteers is often unseen and unrecognised by many, visible only through the incredible impact of their volunteering, so taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole has never been more important.
“Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who give their time so generously. Each and every person involved helps to make our museums such interesting and welcoming places to visit.
“All four of Hertsmere's museums need more volunteers, so if you have a few hours a month or week to spare, they would love your help. There is a surprising variety of activities on offer, so whatever your skills or personality, there is something for everyone. Experience isn’t necessary, as full training and support will be given. What really matters is enthusiasm, a passion for sharing our borough's fascinating history, and an enjoyment of talking to people from all walks of life. If this sounds like you, the museums would love to hear from you.
"Volunteers can give as much time as they would like. So whatever time you can spare to help our museums, would be appreciated."
Anyone can apply to be a volunteer at one the four museums in Hertsmere, but you must be over 16 years old. Whatever your stage in life, volunteering at one of our museums can offer an opportunity to learn new skills, share your knowledge and experience while meeting new people and actively supporting your local community.
Whether you are looking to make new friends, or to add a new skill to your CV, there are many different ways to get involved:
- Front of house welcoming visitors to the museum and helping them get the most from their visit
- Cataloguing objects to helping with displays
- Researching our past by delving into our archives to find the hidden stories
- Creating and updating our online content
- Helping to research, design and curate temporary exhibitions
- Helping to keep the museum safe and looking at its best
- Facilitating school visits and helping families get the most out of the museum and our events
- Helping to research or run our reminiscence events within the local community.
Cllr Rani added: “Our volunteers are a friendly and welcoming group. They bring our local history to life. We are so proud of what they have achieved and our museums wouldn’t be here without them.”
You can hear from our museums by watching our short video: https://youtu.be/R4a7zTkvJqs
To find out more about volunteering you can pop in to the museum you would like to volunteer at, visit the relevant museum on our museums pages or contact your local museum:
Bushey Museum and Art Gallery
Rudolph Road, Bushey, WD23 3HW
020 8420 4057
www.busheymuseum.org
Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm
Elstree and Borehamwood Museum
Shenley Road, Borehamwood, WD6 1EB
01442 454888
www.elstree-museum.org.uk/
Tuesday to Thursday, midday to 6pm
Saturdays: 10am to 3pm.
Potters Bar Museum:
Wyllyotts Centre
Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN
01707 645005
www.pottersbarmuseum.org.uk
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Radlett and District Museum
413A Watling Street, Radlett, WD7 7JG
(Rear of Radlett Village Institute)
info@radlettmuseum.com
www.radlettmuseum.com
Wednesdays and Saturdays: 10am to midday
Posted on Wednesday 31st May 2023