Who Are We?
Christ’s Hospital has had a museum on its site at Horsham since 1994 but its history goes back almost 475 years to its foundation by Edward VI in the City of London in 1552. Over the centuries, CH has developed extensive collections of over 100,000 artefacts which relate to the school’s history including paintings, manuscripts, costumes, statues, ceramics and ephemera with a CH connection.
The Role
We are looking to recruit several more volunteers to assist with our extensive historic collection in the museum. Successful candidates should have an appreciation and understanding of historic collections and how they are managed, to join our small team of Museum staff and existing volunteers. An interest in collection care, handling and documentation is relevant. Existing volunteers find the tasks we give them to be rewarding and stimulating as they learn more about CH history in an interesting environment.
Purpose
- To assist with basic collection processing (donations and loans) object data capture, collection care and handling, movement, photography, packing and storage.
- To assist the curators with collection and CH history-related enquiries, basic research, and documentation; helping to prepare for learning and display work in and around the museum.
- To support the curatorial team with day-to-day varied museum tasks, for which full training will be given.
Responsibilities
- To work as part of the museum team to support the day-to-day running of the museum, for which full and on-going training will be given.
- Basic collections management administration including object entry, donations, and data entry onto CMS (Collections Management System). Collection handling, storage, packing and preventive conservation cleaning if interested. Full training to be given.
- To assist with improvements in the quality of collection care. This will involve basic object processing generated by donations, occasional purchases, bequests, and loans. Working with location and movement plans, object reconciliation and rationalisation and documentation.
- To support the curators with the educational interpretation of the historic collections, and from time to time, to assist the team with school and external group visits to the museum and open days.
- To help the museum team ensure that satisfactory levels of competency regarding documentation, health and safety, collection care and manual handling are reached.
- To demonstrate good customer care and a collaborative working ethos to endorse the growing reputation and level of service the museum provides within the school to pupils and staff, the wider Old Blue and CH community as well as external enquirers, Verrio tour groups and public visitors.
- To demonstrate a commitment to improving and developing the organisation’s processes and facilities.
- To carry out such duties that may be reasonably required by the curatorial team. Full training on all the above will be provided.
- Both roles are subject to DBS checks, and other E-Learning training to comply with the school’s health & safety and safeguarding policies.
- Lunch is provided and travel expenses can be claimed.
Availability
This is a flexible role and can be for less or more than one day a week to cover a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or a Thursday to be mutually agreed.
Christ’s Hospital is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment
What skills do I need?
Qualifications
- To be educated to at least A Level standard or equivalent
- To have some knowledge of, and experience in social history, heritage, or museums.
Skills & Abilities
- To have some experience and skills in working with computer and paper administrative systems, with an interest in the museum, heritage, or school sector.
- To have good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain clearly and confidently to others.
- To be methodical and pay thorough attention to detail and accuracy.
- To have some experience and skills in working with computer and paper administrative systems, with an interest in the museum, heritage, or school sector.
- To have good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain clearly and confidently to others.
- To be methodical and pay thorough attention to detail and accuracy.