The Museum of Croydon
Preserves and shares the heritage of Croydon, reflecting the culture and diversity of Croydon's population.
We offer Exhibition Assistant experience at the Rewind music heritage exhibition. This is a customer welcome/visitor host role. There may be extra opportunities to build other experience such as in oral History, heritage walks, and other areas.
An insight into one of our amazing volunteers I.A.
I.A. is a Rewind! Croydon Music Heritage trail exhibition volunteer. She is interested in gaining experience in the culture and heritage sector so that she can move onto visitor experience roles in galleries, arts centres and museums. I.A. noticed a flyer in the library and sent an email inquiry to the Museum. We then had a chat with her and invited her for an onsite induction.
As a Croydon Music Heritage Exhibition Assistant, I.A. prepares the exhibition for safety and that all is well in conservation terms before opening. Then she welcomes new visitors to the exhibition on the front desk and inside the gallery, helping support visitors to find things they are interested in. I.A. also helps them to engage with the interactive elements for children and adults such as design your CD cover memories of Croydon’s music, or the song-writing magnetic board.
I.A. was also interested to have the chance to try a new activity of helping with oral history interviews. Highlights for her include that she very much enjoys chatting with visitors and supporting them to share their music memories of Croydon, as they look around the gallery.
I.A. started volunteering when the Exhibition opened in February 2024, and will be staying on till the end of the exhibition on 7th September. She contributes 2-3 shifts (4 hours each) a month supporting the Museum staff and usually working alongside another volunteer. This is helping her build a solid amount of experience in this sector, within a reputable gallery and Museum.
Without the volunteers, the Museum staff would not be able to make the exhibition available across so many hours and days to the people of Croydon. Also, I.A has been very helpful in offering to cover at short notice when someone has called in sick.
I.A. is looking forward to the Music Heritage Trail walks restarting and is keen to help at those too, especially the Black History trail (North Croydon). She will be taking part in our free forthcoming oral history training with leaders in the sector. She looks forward to continuing to build her skills and hopes to eventually gain paid work in a similar role elsewhere.
How has working with CVA Volunteer Centre benefited your organisation?
It is extremely valuable to have the physical centre of the Volunteer Centre in a place where people can pass by and become aware of help, go in and talk to people. It is accessible and welcoming and always very helpful this is essential to help those not so able to engage with digital-only spaces. Thank you
