Meet our volunteers

Volunteers help make museum collections more accessible to everyone

People choose to volunteer for different reasons and come to us from different walks of life. Below are the thoughts of two of our volunteers on why they chose to help at Reading Museum and what they have got from it.

Laura Hampden

'I am currently studying Archaeology at Reading University. For one assignment, based around the educational role of museums and the importance of making objects/artefacts accessible to the public, I chose to focus on Reading Museum.

As a Reading local I was particularly impressed with the museum's commitment to engaging with a wide range of groups throughout Reading’s diverse community.

I now volunteer for the museum as an advocate and this gives me a chance to play an active role in reaching members of the public and bringing the museum to them. I attend a range of external events such as science exhibitions, careers fairs and community carnivals. I take objects from Reading's loans collection with me and people really enjoy handling and learning about them.

Volunteering with the museum is a great way to complement my studies. I learn something fascinating every time I'm at the museum or talking to people at events. I find it very rewarding engaging with the people of Reading and sharing my enthusiasm for the museum with them.'

Peter Low

'I have had a lifetime interest in history and archaeology. When I retired I was fortunate to find a role as a volunteer with Reading Museum’s archaeology collection.

For 12 years now I have been researching and recording objects at the museum store. It is a constant learning process and I now have an informed interest in many aspects of archaeology. I enjoy the work immensely and look forward to my days here. It gets me out of the house and allows me to work with people whose company I enjoy.

I get satisfaction because what I am doing is necessary, useful and will benefit the Museum and its visitors long into the future.'

Date updated: 26 Oct 2011