Meetthe team
At Poole Museum, we’re proud to be one team - staff and volunteers working side by side to share stories, spark curiosity, and create warm, welcoming experiences for every visitor.
Each person brings their own skills, passion, and personality, and together we make something truly special.
Meet some of the amazing people who help bring the museum to life...
Verity - Engagement Officer
For Verity, the magic of working at Poole Museum is being surrounded by history every day - and helping others connect with it. There’s truly nothing she can’t do: she began as part of the Visitor Experience team, stepped up as Interim Visitor Experience Manager when needed, and is now starting her journey as an Engagement Officer, working closely with schools and communities to bring stories to life.
With an MA in Historical Costume Design from Arts University Bournemouth, Verity even designed Benjamin Lester’s costume on display in our Setting Sail gallery - one of her favourite spaces, alongside the beautifully crafted binnacle where artistry meets function, and the powerful shrapnel board in Harbour Life, which provides a fascinating glimpse into stories which have shaped our area.
But more than anything, she treasures seeing visitors discover their own personal connections to the museum, how it’s all about those moments when history feels alive and meaningful.
Martin - Engagement Activator
As one of the first Visitor Experience team members (now known as Engagement Activators) when the museum part-opened last year, Martin has been helping shape the warm, welcoming spirit of Poole Museum from the very beginning. He loves nothing more than swapping stories - whether he’s sharing fascinating tales from Poole’s past or hearing visitors’ own memories of the town.
Outside the museum, his world is filled with music and art, from discovering new sounds to exploring creative spaces that inspire fresh ideas. That passion flows into his storytelling, giving it a rich, imaginative edge.
Inside the museum, he’s all about unexpected discoveries - from his favourite museum artefact, the Iron Age logboat to dramatic shipwrecks, and those magical moments when visitors uncover something fascinating that they never even knew they wanted to know.
Ayesha - Volunteer
Originally from across the Atlantic and now in her second year of study, Ayesha balances volunteering at Poole Museum alongside her Illustration course at Arts University Bournemouth.
Volunteering gives her a real feel for life in the museum world, perfectly complementing her passion for culture, heritage, and public art. With a promising career ahead as a freelance artist and muralist, she’s inspired by everything around her - from artsy spaces to archaeology and even the science behind museum artefacts, such as the dendrochronology of our log boat.
Her favourite spot is the art 'gallery within a gallery' on Level 3, where creativity and storytelling come together in a unique way. She loves how visitors can discover so much about the area, with each gallery revealing a completely different facet of the same place, proof there’s truly something here for everyone.
Adam - Volunteer
As a regular volunteer, Adam generously gives up his time to support the museum, always ready to step in and help wherever he’s needed (which we're always very grateful for!)
He’s passionate about history, the environment, and the deep connections that tie Poole’s past to its present. Adam loves how every gallery links together to tell a bigger story, and he’s endlessly fascinated by it all, so much so that choosing a favourite object is nearly impossible (ask him about the Durotrigian coin!)
Constantly building his knowledge of Poole’s rich history, he’s keen to share what he’s learned and spark curiosity in every visitor he meets. For Adam, volunteering is about getting closer to the place you live, building connections, and helping others see it in a whole new way.
Olga - Engagement Activator
Olga thrives on variety and the joy of working with people who share her passion for heritage and history - and she’s truly a lovely presence on the team, always checking in to make sure everyone’s doing okay. With a natural eye for detail, she brings care and thoughtfulness to every aspect of her role.
She loves learning about the history of Poole Pottery and has a real appreciation for fine art, with the Poole Creates! Gallery on Level 3 being one of her favourite spots - alongside our walled herb and physic garden in Scaplen's Court.
With roots in Spain, she feels a special connection to the Studland Bay wreck, linking her own story to Poole’s past. For Olga, the museum offers a warm, welcoming introduction to local history, perfectly paired with a gentle stroll along the Quay. A great day out!
Diane - Volunteer
Diane’s love of museums started in childhood visits with her dad, and now she’s come full circle as part of the Poole Museum team.
Since signing up as a volunteer during our redevelopment, she’s brought warmth and enthusiasm to every corner of the museum - from her welcoming presence in the shop, where she enjoys helping visitors choose the perfect keepsake, to getting stuck into creative art workshops.
With a fondness for Lucian Freud and a nostalgic love of the hippo, Diane treasures the chance to meet people, keep learning, and uncover just how rich and surprising Poole’s history really is. For her, it’s all about widening horizons and finding fulfilment.
Roger - Volunteer
Roger jokes that he started volunteering because his wife wanted him out of the house - but he’s stayed because of the people and the stories. He loves being part of such a welcoming institution, with a particular passion for the Shipwreck! exhibition.
Roger has a real knack for bringing history to life, especially when talking visitors through the museum’s timeline - something they respond to brilliantly, with the Iron Age logboat being the perfect starting point.
From this remarkable 2,000+ year-old vessel, he journeys through ancient Britons, Romans, Vikings, and Normans, right up to the present day, making history feel relevant, and reminding us that diversity has always been our strength, not our weakness.
