Volunteer With Us
Consider volunteering here at the Pen Museum to help share our enthusiasm for pens and our city’s history. Volunteers are essential to maintaining the museum’s operations and they are given the unique opportunity to engage with visitors from all over the world while gaining valuable work experience!
Interested in being part of this Museum and contributing to our cause? Look below at our current roles and reach out with any questions or interest.
Roles
Visitor Guides
Our Visitor Guides take pride in creating an exceptional first impression for all Museum visitors. Serving as the Museum’s front-of-house, they warmly welcome guests, process admissions, and provide an overview of the museum’s offerings. Additionally, Visitor Guides offer insights on the selection of nibs, inks, and pens available for purchase in the Museum shop.
All volunteers given the necessary training to be successful at this role, which includes a volunteer handbook and guidance from experience volunteers. Familiarising yourself with the local area and history is recommended.
The role will suit you if you:
- Have a friendly and helpful demeanour.
- Like engaging in conversation, with people of all ages.
- Have excellent customer service skills.
- Have enthusiasm to promote the museum.
- Have a willingness to learn about the museum’s history and share this knowledge.
Nib Maker
Our Pen Nib Makers demonstrate the operation of museum fly presses, allowing visitors to create their own souvenir nib. Throughout the demonstration, the nib makers educate visitors on nib design, the technical process, and the lives of women nib makers.
All volunteers given the necessary training to be successful at this role, which includes a volunteer handbook and guidance from experience volunteers. Safety guidelines will be provided, as well as detailed materials on technical processes and the lives of 19th Century women nib makers. Additionally, we welcome volunteer research (from our collections and libraries) to add information for their tours.
The role will suit you if you:
- Prioritise and understand the importance of health and safety of yourself and visitors.
- Have strong attention to detail.
- Have Ability to learn facts and teach others.
- Have confidence in speaking in front of groups.
- Have an interest in industrial history, working class history, and/or metalwork.
Activity Lead
Our Activity Leads and Volunteer Calligraphers engage visitors in various writing activities at the museum, enriching the visitor experience and promoting involvement with our calligraphy shop and classes. They demonstrate different calligraphy styles, oversee the Typewriter Challenge, and provide Graphology readings.
You will have the opportunity to shadow experienced volunteers, learning how to interact with and captivate visitors. There is also potential to develop your own activities and pursue creative projects within the museum. Familiarising yourself with the items in the museum shop and Philip Poole Room will enable you to guide and assist visitors.
The role will suit you if you:
- Have confidence speaking with visitors.
- Can lead activities, demonstrate, and teach visitors.
- Answer questions about museum facilities.
- Have an interest in penmanship, calligraphy, drawing.
Availability
Ideally volunteers commit to a regular day each week. This helps us plan and ensure the museum can operate bookings in advance. Flexibility with this can be discussed.
Role Development
Project Work and Duty Management
Open to experienced Pen Museum Volunteers. Please speak to operational manager about expanding your role and potentially taking on a new project to help improve the museum.
Apply to Volunteer with Us
Please send an email to Nigel Evans at nigel.evans@penmuseum.org.uk
Include the following details
Your contact details, interests in specific role(s) at the museum, and reason for applying. Feel free to email with any questions.
When your application is received, we will reach out to arrange an informal meeting with the operations manager to further discuss the process and provide a tour of the museum.
Our volunteering opportunities are open to anyone aged sixteen or over.
We really look forward the hearing from you.