• Birmingham Museums Trust is supported by over 100 volunteers

• Roles include public engagement, education and conservation work

• Celebration events during Volunteers’ Week from 2 to 8 June include a lunch, private tours and shows and picnics at Aston Hall and Blakesley Hall.

The vital role played by its volunteers is being recognised by Birmingham Museums Trust during Volunteers’ Week between 2 to 8 June 2025.

Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions that millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities.

Launched in 1984, this initiative provides organisations and communities a platform to thank current and past volunteers for their invaluable efforts.

Birmingham Museums Trust is supported by over 100 dedicated volunteers who give their time in a range of ways, from public engagement and education to behind-the-scenes tasks.

Roles include visitor support volunteers at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, heritage interpreters at the trust’s historic properties and working with the conservation and collections teams to help preserve and care for the city’s collections.

During the week, Birmingham Museums will celebrate the achievements and contributions of its volunteers with events across its sites, including private tours and shows, a lunch in the events suite at Thinktank and picnics at Aston Hall and Blakesley Hall.

As well as the benefits to the organisation, volunteering can have a positive impact on the volunteers themselves, by improving wellbeing and life satisfaction, contributing to skills and personal development and strengthening social networks.

Jonty’s story

Jonty (67) from Sutton Coldfield is a visitor support volunteer at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. He was inspired to volunteer after he retired.

“Since retiring almost 12 months ago I felt I was like a fish out of water. I had no real purpose in life and felt useless and my psychological wellbeing suffered greatly.

“But having this role now at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is such a wonderful thing for me. It means I can feel needed and wanted. The interaction with people is wonderful and it’s such a cathartic experience.

“I can honestly say that every time I leave the gallery I feel I’ve made a difference to at least one person’s life. It’s also such a privilege and honour to be an ambassador for the gallery.”

Aneyemi’s story

Aneyemi (32), a student from Nigeria studying at Birmingham School of Art, is a visitor support volunteer at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Speaking about her role she said:

“This experience has been a deeply rewarding chapter in my journey. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is more than just a museum—it’s a dynamic, inclusive space where stories from different cultures intertwine.

“Every interaction with visitors has been a reminder of how art has the power to connect people, spark conversations, and inspire new perspectives. Whether guiding someone through an exhibit, sharing insights, or simply witnessing the quiet wonder of a visitor absorbed in a masterpiece, each moment has reinforced the significance of making art accessible to all.

“Beyond the joy of engaging with visitors, this role has given me invaluable exposure to the inner workings of cultural institutions. Seeing first-hand how exhibitions come together and how public programmes are designed has strengthened my understanding of arts management in a real-world setting.

“The museum’s welcoming environment has made me feel at home, surrounded by creativity, history and the warmth of a community that values inclusivity. It’s been more than just a volunteer experience—it’s been a meaningful journey, shaping both my passion for the arts and my vision for the future.”

Isra’s story

Isra (24) from Harborne has been volunteering with Birmingham Museums Trust since 2022, first with the natural sciences curator and then moving to the Portable Antiquities scheme in 2023. She said:

“Both roles have given me so much; I’ve learnt a lot of things, gained so many different skills, and met a lot of great people.

“Birmingham Museums Trust, both as an organisation and the people within in it, is very generous and willing to help you. I’ve always felt valued and comfortable, and I have been supported throughout my volunteering by everyone I’ve come across.

“Volunteering has definitely helped me grow a lot as a person, and I am grateful to volunteering for the trust, and of course the people involved , for having a huge part to play in that.”

Megan’s story

Megan (25) from Hall Green studied for an MA in history of art and curating at University of Birmingham, graduating in 2022. She began volunteering with Birmingham Museums Trust in 2023 and now works for the trust as a volunteer finds liaison assistant on the Portable Antiquities Scheme. She said:

“I began at the Museum Collections Centre assisting with the Portable Antiquities Scheme and went on to volunteer also as a learning assistant and as a conservation volunteer during the annual winter cleaning of the sites.

“My experience as a volunteer has been instrumental in giving me the skills and knowledge I have today, and the variety of roles available meant I have been able to gain valuable experiences in areas of museum work that would be difficult to find elsewhere.

“I found volunteering really valuable as a young person coming out of university and wanting to get into arts and heritage work, as it was a really interesting and accessible way of gaining practical experience and trying out roles in different areas of a competitive sector.

“There was no pressure or expectation to have prior knowledge, and I’ve been able to learn a lot, particularly about archaeological objects and collections, and I would really recommend volunteering to anyone who has an interest in this sector, whether studying or recently graduated.”

Anisa (25), a volunteer from Sutton Coldfield, said:

"Volunteering with Birmingham Museums Trust has been a truly meaningful experience for me.

“As a young immigrant woman, being involved in cultural activities has given me a strong sense of belonging and connection to the community. It’s been empowering to contribute to projects that celebrate diversity, creativity, and shared stories.

“The trust creates a space where everyone’s voice feels valued, and that has made a lasting impact on me."

Kris (22), a volunteer from Yardley, said:

"Every day volunteering at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is different from the last. First, I'm in a lab coat, extracting DNA from fruit, then next, I'm up in the Aston Hall attic, keeping an eye out for ghosts. And there's just as much going on behind the scenes to keep me busy - back at home I help with transcribing audio archives in my spare time.

“My time spent volunteering is one of the few things breaking up the hum-drum of work life and getting me engaging with Birmingham in a way I couldn't on my own."

Eldina Bolic, volunteer manager at Birmingham Museums Trust, said:

“We are lucky to have an amazing team of volunteers supporting us across our sites. Our volunteers get involved with a whole range of projects and activities and we couldn't do what we do without them.

“We are very grateful for the skills they bring, the warmth and passion they share and the commitment and loyalty they demonstrate.

“They add a diversity of experience and perspective, helping keep our museums relevant and at the heart of our communities.

“We are delighted to be able to use the opportunity of Volunteers’ Week to say a huge thank you to all those who volunteer with us.”

Current volunteering opportunities include working with the Portable Antiquities Scheme at the Museum Collection Centre and for activities and events volunteers to assist at various events and activities taking place across Birmingham Museums sites throughout the year.

Find out more information about volunteering for Birmingham Museums.