Activators give visitors a warm welcome to four of our galleries: Curiosity, Conversation, Create and The Hive. These galleries showcase different objects from our vast collection and invite visitors to engage with them - whether that's by reflection or by getting hands-on with creative activities!
As an Activator, you'll provide a warm welcome to our visitors in the gallery spaces. You should be confident and comfortable talking with all audiences including families, young people and adults. You'll be on-hand to answer questions and chat with visitors about their reactions to different objects and themes.
You may get hands-on with making and creating prompts for visitors to explore the different spaces.
Finally, you'll also be responsible for keeping these galleries looking great: whether that's updating noticeboards, making sure creative stations are inviting or keeping resources topped up.
There is no set experience needed for an Activator, but you should be confident to engage with visitors. If you like to get creative, this role could suit you.
Activators volunteer 7-days a week in the museum. During our main opening hours, available shifts are 10.00-1.00pm, 1.00-4.00pm or all day with a lunch break. During winter hours (November to February), volunteer shifts are 10.30-1.30pm, 1.00-4.00pm or an all day shift with a lunch break.
When you start, you'll be invited to Health and Safety, Museum Values and Visitor Experience training. These interactive sessions will help you feel confident in your role at the museum. We also offer Safeguarding training, and we'll ask you to read and understand our safeguarding policy. Finally, you can read our Volunteer Handbook to find out more about volunteering at the museum.
To help you get settled in, you'll be offered shadowing shifts with an experienced volunteer.
You'll also get briefings about new displays, to ensure you feel confident speaking about them to visitors.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer expenses.
- Make new friends
- Develop new skills
- Help make the museum one of the best experiences in the North
- Discount in the shop and Cafe Bowes
- Invites to preview events to see exhibitions before they open to the public
Conversation, Create and Curiosity are on the ground floor: there is level access to this floor and accessible parking. The Hive can be accessed by a lift. There are sensory bags available for anybody to use.
There is free parking on the museum grounds. The museum can also be accessed by public transport: from Darlington, catch the X75 or X76 (35 to 45 minutes, less regular on Sundays). The bus stop is approximately 10 minutes walk away. There is also a seasonable bus from Durham, which arrives at the entrance: Northstar bus 873.
