FAQs
Volunteering during Covid-19
Is volunteering still taking place?
We have created a staged approach to having volunteers in the museums, with different volunteer roles in at different stages. These relate to the current level of precautions and depend on how easy it is for the volunteering role to be socially distanced (e.g. gardening volunteers may be in when indoor roles are not).
If you are already a volunteer with us, we'll make sure you know whether you can come in. If you're not sure, please email volunteering@museumwales.ac.uk.
Is recruitment for volunteering and placements currently open?
You can search for any volunteer roles we have available here. You can search for any placement roles we have available here.
What do volunteers do?
What types of volunteering opportunities do you offer at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales?
Volunteers can get involved in a range of different activities across all 7 of the museums sites. For example, gardening, crafting and explaining objects to visitors.
If you want to see some examples of what volunteers do, please have a look at our newsletter Take Part or follow us on Twitter.
What is E-Volunteering?
E-volunteering, is short for Electronic Volunteering. This is volunteering that allows you to take part from your home using your computer, phone, laptop or tablet.
For example, you might be asked to add information to the Museum’s catalogue to help people using the catalogue find what they are looking for.
How do I become a volunteer?
Becoming a volunteer with Amgueddfa Cymru couldn’t be simpler. All you need to do is follow the answers to the questions below, which will show you step-by-step how to become a volunteer with us.
The questions also provide information on accessibility, Welsh language, expenses, volunteer rewards, police checks, volunteering if you are from outside the UK, age limits on volunteering and volunteering if you are receiving welfare benefits.
There is also a set of questions that gives information on how we will manage and use your personal data.
How do I find out about new volunteering opportunities?
All of our volunteering opportunities are advertised on our website here and on Twitter.
How do I register?
If you want to register for a volunteer role, read through the role description carefully and think about whether the role is suitable for you.
If it is, please complete the registration form that can be found at the bottom of the webpage with the role descriptions.
Please send the completed form to us via email to volunteering@museumwales.ac.uk, or telephone us on (029) 2057 3002.
We will then be able to talk through the form with you. We can also fill out your registration form for you over the telephone if you need us to.
How accessible are your volunteer roles?
We aim to make as many of our roles as accessible as possible. We try to host our volunteering sessions in rooms that are accessible and easy to get to. However, due to the fact that our museums either contain historic buildings, or are located in listed buildings, it may not always be possible.
Each role description will note if there are any accessibility restrictions or things you may need to consider. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know and we will try our hardest to meet these.
How much time must I give?
Each role description will say when and how long each volunteer session is, for example the conservation volunteers meet every Tuesday, 10.00am-1.00pm. This is to help you work out your availability.
Many of our roles are flexible and we try our hardest to meet you your needs.
What skills and experience do I need?
The role description will say if the role requires you to have certain skills or experience, but in most cases, enthusiasm and a passion for the subject are more important than experience.
Are there any age limits?
We accept volunteers aged 14+, 16+ or 18+. Age requirements are dependent on the role and are clearly noted in the role description. We also have youth forums for people aged 14 to 25 years old.
Do I need to speak Welsh to volunteer?
The majority of our volunteer roles do not require you to speak Welsh.
If a role requires you to speak Welsh it will clearly note it in the role description.
If you are learning Welsh, volunteering with us can be a great opportunity to practice in some of our roles. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Do you accept volunteers from abroad?
Yes. It is your responsibility to check if your visa says you are able to volunteer.
Will I have to undergo a police check?
This depends on the volunteering role and will be noted in the role description.
Will I be paid?
No. Our volunteers are not paid. Please visit our Jobs webpage for information on traineeships, apprenticeships and/or paid opportunities.
Do you pay travel expenses?
Yes. We pay out-of-pocket travel expenses to our volunteers.
Do I receive anything for volunteering?
Our volunteers receive out-of-pocket travel expenses, references and discounts in our shops, café, on courses and exhibitions.
You will also be part of the Amgueddfa Cymru community, where you will be able to make new friends, participate in exciting extra events such as the annual volunteer summer and winter parties and Volunteers Week.
Past parties have included exclusive access to exhibitions and behind the scenes tours of parts of the collection not normally accessible to the general public.
How do you use my personal data?
How do you keep my personal data safe?
We store your personal data in line with current data legislation. For full information please see our Volunteer Privacy Policy here.
We need all the information we ask for on the registration and/or enquiry form to be able to process your request.
Can you keep my information? Do you have a mailing list?
No. Unless you begin a volunteering role with us, we cannot hold on to your registration form for longer than 3 months. We only keep it for this length of time to process your request. That is why we can’t hold on to registration forms or enquiry emails, even if you ask us to in case something comes up in the future.
How do I leave volunteering?
If you are no longer able to continue volunteering with us, all we will need you to do is to let us know by either emailing the Volunteering Department volunteering@museumwales.ac.uk, or telephoning us on (029) 2057 3002,. We will then send you out a Leavers Pack either digitally or in the post.
This will give you details about what the three options that you can take when leaving your volunteering role with Amgueddfa Cymru.
The option is to continue as an Events Volunteer. This is a very flexible role and you can give as much or as little time as you’re able to, and involves helping out with events and activities in the Museums.
Or you can chose to join our Volunteer Alumni Program. This will allow you to stay in touch with the Volunteering Department by receiving new role emails and a copy of ‘Take Part.’ You will also be able to continue to help the work of the Volunteering Department at Amgueddfa Cymru by acting as advocates for the Department’s work in your local community.
The last option is leaving the volunteer programme. Choosing this option means you are no longer a volunteer with the Museum and you will receive no further communication (for example emails, or post) from us.
We will need to keep your data for 6 years in order to supply you with a reference if requested. Your data will be moved to a secured holding area and used for this reason only. This data will be deleted automatically after 6 years.
Skills Development Placements and Work Placements
What are Skills Development Placements?
Skills Development Placements are an opportunity for people over the age of 18 who have barriers to employment to gain skills and experience through volunteering.
We work closely with the individuals to tailor a placement to their interests and needs.
What are Work Placements?
Work Placements are an opportunity for students over the age of 18 to gain on-the-job experience, explore career options and develop skills further.
How much time will I have to give?
Placements are designed and tailored to individual people. There is a maximum time period, for example our placements are usually a maximum of 6 months in length. More information can be found here.
How to apply?
If you want to apply for a placement, you can either email the Volunteering Department volunteering@museumwales.ac.uk, or telephone us on (029) 2057 3002.
We will send you the placement enquiry form to fill out.
Once you have completed the form it can be returned to us by emailing volunteering@museumwales.ac.uk, or by posting to Volunteering Dept, National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP.
Please try and tell us in which museum or department in the museum you would like your placement to take place as this will help us to find the best to direct your enquiry.
We have a lot of demand for placements and unfortunately this means we are unable to offer everyone a placement.
What do I do if I need extra support in applying for a placement?
If you need extra support in understanding the enquiry form, you can either email the Volunteering Department volunteering@museumwales.ac.uk, or telephone us on (029) 2057 3002.
We will then be able to talk through the form with you and we can also fill out your registration form for you over the telephone if you need us to.
I am an Overseas Student, can I apply for a placement?
Unfortunately no, we are not in a position to accept students from overseas and all applicants have to be studying and living in the UK to participate.