Volunteer: Naomi Etchells

When were you a museum volunteer?

Sept 2008 – Dec 2008.

Where did you volunteer?

Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

What inspired you to become a volunteer?

A module on my history degree course allowed me to do a work placement.

What did you do as a museum volunteer?

Created a handbook on the medal collection, added images to the text panel already in place for the medals in the collection, and took an inventory along with photographs of all the items in the museum.

What training and support did you get as a museum volunteer?

I was shown the stores and it was explained why everything was kept how it was. I was shown differing roles from front of house to curatorial roles.

What skills and experiences did you gain as a volunteer?

I felt I learnt how to deal with the public’s questions as a front of house worker. Also how to make things look pleasing on the eye in respect of the displays.

What would you say to others thinking of becoming a museum volunteer?

It is a good experience I learnt a lot of the details about working in a museum that I did not know previously.

What was the best thing about being a museum volunteer?

Learning about what goes on behind the scenes of the museum.

What was the worst thing about being a museum volunteer?

Learning to use a photocopier.