We’re delighted to have secured funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, Young Start for our exciting Museum Mentorship Programme.
This initiative is designed to offer young people and community members aged 16 to 24 years old unique opportunities to engage with our museum, gain valuable skills, and contribute to preserving and sharing our local history. Read more and find out what volunteer roles we have available for this programme below.
About the Museum Mentorship Programme
Our Museum Mentorship Programme is a year-round initiative aimed at empowering young people aged 16 to 24 years old, by providing hands-on experience in various aspects of museum operations. Whether you’re passionate about history, interested in education, or looking to develop skills in hospitality, this programme offers a range of volunteer roles that cater to diverse interests and career aspirations. Each volunteer is paired with an experienced mentor who provides personalized guidance, training, and support, helping you to build confidence and expertise in your chosen area.
Volunteer Roles Available
We offer a variety of volunteer roles under this programme, each tailored to different interests and skill sets:
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- Museum Collections/Curatorial Volunteer: Dive into the world of museum collections and curation. Learn how to catalogue artefacts, handle delicate objects, and manage curatorial software. This role is perfect for those with a keen interest in history and preservation, offering behind-the-scenes access to our unique collections. As a collections volunteer, you’ll receive mentorship from our curatorial team, who will guide you in developing essential skills for a future career in the museum sector. Read more about this a by clicking here>
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- Front of House Museum Volunteer: Be the welcoming face of our museum. This role is ideal for those who enjoy interacting with the public and want to gain experience in customer service. From greeting visitors to assisting with ticket sales and providing information about our exhibits, you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring a positive visitor experience. Through mentorship, you’ll build valuable communication and hospitality skills that are highly transferable to various industries. Read more about this by clicking here>
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- Café Volunteer: Gain practical experience in the hospitality industry by working in our museum café. As a café volunteer, you’ll learn customer service, food preparation, and cash handling, all while maintaining a welcoming environment for our visitors. This role is perfect for those looking to build a career in hospitality, with mentorship provided to help you develop the skills and confidence needed in this fast-paced field. Read more about this clicking here>
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- Youth and Community Volunteer: If you’re passionate about education and community work, this role is for you. Assist in delivering educational activities for schools, facilitating craft workshops, and supporting community events. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with young people and diverse community groups, making a real impact while gaining experience in event planning, education, and youth engagement. Your mentor will guide you in developing the skills necessary for a career in education or community work. Read more about this by clicking here>
What You’ll Gain
Volunteering with us offers more than just experience—it’s an opportunity to grow personally and professionally. By joining our Museum Mentorship Programme, you’ll benefit from:
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- Personalised Mentorship: Receive one-on-one guidance from experienced professionals in your chosen field.
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- Comprehensive Training: Participate in structured training sessions designed to build your skills and knowledge.
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- Career Development: Enhance your CV with practical experience and receive a reference after six months of regular volunteering.
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- Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Uncover what happens behind-the-scenes in the museum, while gaining experience and building your knowledge of the workplace.
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- Social and Educational Events: Enjoy exclusive access to special events, behind-the-scenes tours, and ongoing educational opportunities.
In 2023, The Devil’s Porridge Museum won the Celebrating Thriving Communities Thistle Award in the South of Scotland regional final, so there should be lots for you to look forward to as part of our team!
Get Involved
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey with The Devil’s Porridge Museum?
It’s quick and easy to get involved. Just follow the steps below!
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- Explore the Role Profiles: Check out the role profiles above and find out what excites you! Whether you’re into hospitality, customer-facing roles, behind-the-scenes curatorial work, research, databases, or community-focused roles like event management and education workshops, there’s something here for you. Tell us what interests you!
- Drop Us a Message: Please send us a quick note to info@devilsporridge.org.uk with your name and why you’re interested. There is no need for anything formal!
- Come In for a Chat: We’d love to meet you in person! Come by for a relaxed chat so we can get to know you better and find the roles that match your interests.
And that’s it—no long forms or essays—just a friendly conversation to see how we can help you on your journey. If your interested in our youth empowerment programme we would love to hear from you!
A huge thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund, Young Start for their generous support!
