Become a volunteer

At Poole Museum, we don’t just work in the community, we work with it. That means everything we do is shaped by people first, and that includes our amazing volunteers.

There’s a whole world of opportunities to get stuck into - from giving a warm welcome to visitors and guiding them through exhibitions, to helping out with creative programmes for both grown-ups and little ones.

Got a green thumb? Scaplen’s Court garden is lovingly cared for by our volunteer gardening team, and they’re always happy to welcome new hands (and trowels).

Ready to Join the Team? Brilliant! Here’s how it works:

Once you’ve applied, you’ll be invited for a friendly induction and an informal chat with our Volunteer Manager who's lovely, we promise. Sign up by heading to the Better Impact website

After signing up, you'll be invited to one of our monthly Coffee Break sessions - a relaxed chance to meet the team, chat with other volunteers, and find the perfect role that suits your interests and skills.

We welcome applications from everyone aged 18 and over — no experience needed, just enthusiasm and a love for sharing stories.

Most volunteer roles run on a shift basis, with hours to suit your schedule. Whether you’re a morning person, a weekend wanderer, or free in the evenings, we’ve got a spot for you.

Once you’re on board, we’ll kit you out with a Poole Museum lanyard - your badge of honour!

We ask volunteers to wear smart casual attire while on shift. For some specific roles, we may provide a uniform to help you look the part (and feel it too) - except for our garden volunteers, who are welcome to dress for the weather and the weeds (sturdy shoes and comfy clothes encouraged!)

Looking good, history hero.

Expenses can be claimed for volunteer roles, with a daily cap of £5.00 for travel and/or parking. 

Be part of a cultural adventure shaped by the sea. You will be able to:

• join a crew of passionate volunteers who care deeply about Poole and its people
• meet fascinating folk from all walks of life - sailors, storytellers, you name it
• feel the joy of inspiring visitors and making their day just a little more magical
• put your skills to good use - whether you’re a history buff, a people person, or just really good at pointing out cool stuff
• boost your experience in the heritage and culture sector (and add some sparkle to your CV)
• enjoy a safe, welcoming space where everyone belongs - no sea monsters here, promise
• try something new and give back to the community that shaped this seaside town
• build confidence in communication, teamwork, and leadership by guiding groups and chatting with visitors
• get trained up in all the good stuff: safeguarding, gallery content, object handling, health and safety, and more
• stay in the loop with quarterly newsletters full of updates, stories, and garden gossip
• celebrate your awesomeness at monthly socials and twice-yearly museum shindigs

We won’t just throw you in at the deep end (unless you’re into that sort of thing).

As a Poole Museum Volunteer, you’ll get a full induction - a proper welcome aboard - so you know your way around the place, and the people. If your role needs extra training, your team lead or volunteer manager will sort that before your first shift. You might even be paired up with a seasoned volunteer or staff member until you feel shipshape and confident.

All volunteers will also take part in ‘Welcome to Excellence’ training - it’s like a compass for great visitor experiences.

Some roles come with ongoing training, including regular briefings on our collections, exhibitions, and events. You’ll also have the chance to learn on the job - from public engagement to heritage interpretation and making history come alive for everyone who walks through our doors.

There may also be opportunities to take part in access and inclusion training, helping you champion an inclusive approach in everything you do. And if you’re interested, you could dive deeper into specialist training to support visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or visual impairments.

Poole Museum belongs to the people of Poole. Our collections tell the stories of this town’s rich, salty, surprising past - and we want local residents right at the heart of it. That’s why we actively invite you to volunteer in our spaces. It helps us reflect the diversity of our visitors and builds pride in the culture that makes Poole, well, Poole.

Volunteers are a big part of what makes a visit to the museum memorable. You help create those “remember when…” moments that people take home, share with friends, and come back for. That kind of connection is what turns a museum into a community hub - and a cultural centre that’s as lively and welcoming as our harbour.