Volunteer Opportunities Now…

We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers who enjoy working with the public to help support our work in a variety of ways.

Our educational programme aims to give visitors opportunities to explore the museum’s collection and deepen their enjoyment and understanding of the history of computing through inspiring activities and events.

Volunteer tasks might include:

• Welcoming all visitors /registering visitors for pre-booked activities
• Helping visitors explore different areas of the museum appropriate to their  age/interests/length of visit
• Stewarding the galleries to make sure that visitor and collection safety is maintained
• Supporting delivery of workshops/activities
• Setting up and clearing away visitor activities
• Maintaining and cleaning exhibits
• Supporting evaluation work
• Supporting marketing activity
• Contributing to the creative development of new activities and workshops
• Attending planning or training meetings as required.

What you will gain from this role:

• Practical experience of working with museum visitors and staff
• Developing skills and experience within a museum setting
• Being part of a motivated, fun and enthusiastic team
• Valuable experience that will enhance your CV
• The opportunity to meet new people within your local community
• Satisfaction of ‘giving back’

Skills required:

Volunteers from all backgrounds and experience are welcome, especially those who have an interest in computing history, education or arts marketing and the Museum and Heritage Sector. Excellent customer care together with good observation and communication skills are essential. Ideally you will have confidence to interact with the public and especially with children and families. Applicants must be punctual and reliable and feel comfortable representing the museum to members of the public. Applicants need to be aged 18 or older.

Potential time commitment: We are looking for volunteers to commit for half or full days during school holidays and special public events throughout the year. This includes weekends, occasional evenings and weekdays. Selected volunteers will need to attend an introduction session and a training session.
Some of the time you will be working unsupervised, while representing the Centre to members of the public. You will need to have good observation and conversation skills and have an eye for detail. Many of the roles will involve moving around or standing. You must be aged 18 or older to apply.

Location: Centre for Computing History, Rene Court, Coldhams Road, Cambridge CB1 3EW

Responsible to:
Designated Activity Coordinator

Training and Support

We will provide you with the information and training necessary for you to perform your volunteer role through an initial training session and other events as deemed necessary.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

You will be responsible for your own health and safety and that of others with whom you volunteer, by reporting all potential and actual health and safety matters including accidents using the correct procedures.

To Apply

Please download and complete an Expression of Interest form and send it to volunteers@computinghistory.org.uk or Volunteers Coordinator, Centre for Computing History.org.uk.

About the Cambridge Centre for Computing History

CCH is an educational charity (1130071) and not-for-profit company, which opened in Cambridge in August 2013. Its core purpose is to increase understanding of developments in computing over the past 60 years by exploring the social, cultural and historical impact of the Information Age. The fast-paced nature of the computing industry, along with its tendency to discard irrelevant technology as soon as it becomes outdated, means that the heritage around its origins and subsequent developments is at risk of being lost. CCH aims to preserve this fundamental part of our heritage and ensure it is valued, celebrated and secured for posterity.

CCH has an internationally significant collection of vintage computers, memorabilia, artefacts, documents and hands-on displays – in total about 24,000 items. The core collection consists of 800 historic computers including an Altair 8800, usually considered the first home computer, as well as mobile phones, games consoles and calculators. CCH is currently developing two new Cambridge-related archives: a Sinclair collection and an Acorn collection. 

CCH is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday each week and runs many events for families and adults throughout the year. The Museum also contributes to special public events during school holidays such as the ‘Science Festival’ and late night openings during ‘Twilight at the Museums’ and ‘Museums at Night’.

Date : 20-09-2014

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