Volunteering at Glenside Hospital Museum
Join our team
Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our community. With diverse talents and backgrounds, they bring our mission to life, creating an inclusive, vibrant, and enriching experience for all.
Diversity and Inclusion
Glenside Hospital Museum celebrates diversity, welcoming volunteers of all abilities, genders, and cultures.
Collections care
For the detail-led
Our fastidious team spend their volunteer days cataloguing new items that have come in to our museum.
Help to ensure the preservation of important historical artefacts for future generations.
Meet and greet
For the talkative
We pride ourselves on providing a warm welcome to all visitors who arrive at the museum. If you enjoy a chat perhaps you'd fit in well to our museum's front of house team.
No experience required.
Exhibition/curation
For the creatives
If you have experience in this area we'd love to hear from you.
We host at least one fresh exhibition every year and are always keen to embrace interesting new themes which relate to our museum's collections.
Research
For the curious
If you're someone who's always asking questions, wanting to dig a little deeper, you may enjoy joining our team of researchers.
Seek to uncover hidden stories and enrich our understanding of the past.
Clean & repair
For the handy helpers
As a volunteer-run charity we always need extra help with both day-to-day cleaning and minor maintenance jobs.
Whether you're handy with a duster and mop or confident with a drill or paintbrush, we'd like to hear from you.
Short term
For those who can't commit long term
Not everyone can commit to years of volunteering, but you can still help out.
If you'd like to find out our current list of short term tasks, please get in touch.
As a minimum, 2 months of 1-2x weekly volunteering is usually ideal.
Collections care
Cerys Walsh
"I study Diagnostic Radiography on Glenside Campus, and decided to while away a Saturday at the museum. I was given such a fantastic introduction and loved the collection so much that I decided to start volunteering. Now, I look forward to coming every week, and I’ve learnt so much about the hospital and mental health care history.
I love history, so being able to dig through the treasure trove that visitors rarely get to see and all the stories behind them is fantastic. I wish every item was on display for everyone to see, but unfortunately we don’t have the space!
Above all, my favourite thing about the museum is all the other volunteers. I’ve met some absolutely incredible people here from all walks of life, who’ve really made me feel at home in Bristol and always brighten up my week.
Volunteering at Glenside never feels like work, but like catching up and hanging out with friends. I know my time here has really boosted my confidence and had a positive impact on my own mental health."
Meet and greet
Evan Jenkinson
"I started volunteering at Glenside Hospital Museum as part of my Duke of Edinburgh silver award.
The museum has a great community feel. If it’s not another volunteer you’re speaking to it will be a guest. The local community and residents are always supporting even if not volunteering then they are visiting.
I, along with lots of others also attended Princess Anne’s visit to celebrate 40 years of the museum, it was a great experience and is something I will not forget."
Exhibitions and curation
Carly Wong
"I have been part of the Glenside Hospital Museum community for 4 years now. I jumped at the chance to transform the unique "turret" room into the Tea in the Turret experience where visitors can sit for tea and cake in amongst a creative display.
I think the exhibitions at the museum really add an extra dimension to the collections, constantly giving a refreshing perspective on the museum as a whole".
Research
Andy Aldrich
"I spend my time at the museum researching new artefacts and case studies connected to the museum and its history.
I like nothing more than being presented with some random mysterious object and having to find out what it is and what it was used for.
Recent acquisitions have included a blood pressure measuring device invented by a doctor who boasted Albert Einstein as one of his patients, and an uncomfortable looking contraption that served as a stomach pump."
Cleaning and maintenance
John Pearce
"I wanted to come to the museum as I worked at Glenside Hospital as a porter in the 1970s and even met my wife here. When I visited the museum I found it really interesting so decided to join the volunteer team."
Short term volunteering
Emilia Payne
"I volunteered at Glenside Hospital Museum for 12 weeks as a collections care manager, for work experience during my undergraduate psychology degree (UWE).
I’ve really enjoyed doing something a little different and being part of the Glenside Hospital Museum team, getting hands on and experiencing this unique museum environment. Not to mention spending time with the wonderful volunteers that keep the museum running!"
Volunteer with us
From opening up to curating exhibits and greeting visitors to the museum, our volunteers make a real impact. Whether you're into history, caring for a collection, marketing, or research, there's a role for you here.
Some come to fulfil a personal project, gain experience, explore potential career paths or just enjoy becoming part of our friendly team.
At Glenside Hospital Museum, we believe in supporting our volunteers every step of the way, providing opportunities for training, mentorship, and personal development. Whatever your goals may be, we're here to help you achieve them.
Personal Growth
Stay for years or join us for a short project. We offer training and support to help you grow, whatever your goals may be.
Contact us about volunteering
