The new Faith Museum explores the story of faith in Britain and its meaning today. The story of 6,000 years of faith extends across four galleries that include a spectacular new extension to Auckland Castle, designed to display treasures from The Auckland Project's collections, loans from local and national museums, and an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions.
The Faith Museum is an extraordinary place and we want you to be part of the team that looks after it and shares it with others.
This new volunteer role, requiring responsibility, vigilance, and excellent customer service skills, is part of the Visitor Operations team playing a crucial part in the way Visitors engage with the Faith Museum, to provide a truly memorable experience
We aspire to help every Visitor to our venues think and ask questions about the concept of faith and what it means to them, inspired by the historic and contemporary artefacts and stories we display.
The role involves two key duties – Engagement and Invigilation
Engagement
You will provide an accessible experience which compliments the interpretation of the Museum. You’ll be on hand to answer questions people might have about the Museum, its objects, or its role within The Auckland Project venues. People come to the Faith Museum with different thoughts and expectations: through excellent customer service and listening skills, your role is to ensure that people leave having had the best possible experience.
Invigilation
As invigilator, your duty is the protection of the exhibits on display. It is essential that these are invigilated at all times by trained personnel who are in line of sight and near the objects.
Engager Duty -
Be part of a team that looks after our Visitors by:
Welcoming Visitors to the Faith Museum, offering a genuinely friendly welcome, with a smile, eye contact and open body language
Offering Visitors an appropriate level of information about exhibits whilst keeping an open mind on differing viewpoints and sensitively handling feedback and discussion.
Helping orientate visitors, ensuring safe passage of visitors particularly around pinch points, and ‘signposting’ other aspects of TAP’s visitor offer.
Invigilator Duty -
Be part of a team that looks after the Faith Museum and its exhibits by:
Invigilating specific gallery spaces, ensuring that the security of the exhibits is not compromised.
The role also includes -
Being observant: ‘the eyes and ears of TAP’ in the Faith Museum, informing the Supervisor/Volunteer Support Leader immediately in the event of damage to the building or to any exhibit, in the instance of any health and safety or security issues arising, and of any other emergencies that may occur
Ensuring that the museum’s rules and requirements are understood and followed
Communicating with colleagues to ensure safety of the objects, furnishings and Visitors
Adhering to health and safety regulations, being aware of disability and access requirements, and assisting the public in evacuation situations in accordance with a thorough knowledge of evacuation procedures (training provided).
Being Proud of the Space and assisting to keep it clean and ensure that the Faith Museum is presentable to our Visitors
Being an advocate for TAP
Is over 17
Is diligent, trustworthy, and responsible
Has a can-do attitude, ensuring people engage with us now and in the future?
Is a punctual time keeper, and is willing to undertake, understand and relish training and briefing sessions?
Has customer/Visitor/visitor care experience, or can demonstrate that they have the attributes – the ability to share interest in the experience, and the Visitors’ enjoyment of it
Is able and willing to follow instructions
Is Health & Safety conscious
Is keen to show they are a good team player and communicator
Is pleasant and presentable
Is open-minded and willing to acknowledge and embrace an individual's right to differing beliefs and opinions
Bishop Auckland
Having a flexible approach to time management is key. We welcome people who can commit to at least once a week, but this is a suggestion and we are happy to discuss this further with you.
You will be asked to provide and wear appropriate clothing. Dress code will be advised.
The Auckland Project is unable to reimburse travel expenses.
Training will be given a combination of online modules/briefing papers and in person training
It’s an exciting time! Your volunteering will be directly contributing to the regeneration of Bishop Auckland.
In joining our community, you should find that every time you volunteer, you will be setting off on an adventure where you can achieve a sense of wellbeing. This may well include
feeling good, smiling, finding or enhancing skills, meeting new people, achieving a sense of purpose and responsibility, and having fun. It may well be an opportunity to rediscover/discover yourself.
There will be core training, including invigilation, and the opportunity to find out more about the exhibits and their context.
What’s in it for me?
Experience, challenge, a development and ‘CV-building’ opportunity: ‘a chance to grow’
Responsibility
Being part of something new
A chance to find out about the history of Faith in Britain
Able to access all TAP visitor attractions whilst a volunteer
What’s in it for the Auckland Project?
A community of enthusiastic, informed, kind, responsible people – ‘The Right Stuff’! – representing this new project
Care of the Faith Museum, its exhibits, and our Visitors.
What’s in it for the Visitor?
An experience enhanced by amazing team members - so time with us gives great memories.
Volunteers with The Auckland Project (TAP ) have access during opening times to the Visitor attractions, Auckland Castle, Spanish gallery, Mining Art Gallery in order to understand these visitor attractions and act as an ambassador for TAP as part of being a volunteer.
