Volunteering

This is a lovely role if you enjoy meeting people and helping visitors feel welcome.

You might greet visitors as they arrive, explain what they can see in the museum, help with the shop or front desk, answer simple questions, or give a short introduction to the galleries.

For many visitors, especially those coming to the museum for the first time, a warm welcome makes all the difference.
When the museum is quiet, there may also be time to help with other small tasks, such as preparing materials, helping with research, supporting events, or working on something that matches your interests.

This role may suit you if you enjoy talking to people, being part of a friendly place, and helping visitors get more from their visit.

Shifts are 2-4 hours per week.

Our collection is full of objects, photographs, documents and stories connected with Congleton and the people who have lived and worked here.

Collections volunteers help us care for these items and make them easier for people to find, understand and enjoy.

You might help with checking records, organising storage, photographing objects, scanning old photographs or documents, or helping prepare information for our online collection.

Some volunteers enjoy the quiet, careful nature of this work. Others love the moment when an object, photograph or name brings back a memory of Congleton’s streets, shops, mills, schools or families.

You do not need to be an expert. We will show you what to do, step by step.

This role may suit you if you enjoy careful work, local history, photographs, objects, archives, or discovering stories that have not been seen for many years.

Research volunteers help us uncover the stories behind the museum’s collection and the town’s history.

You might research an object, a photograph, a local person, a building, a business, a family story, or a theme from Congleton’s past. This work can help us create exhibitions, website stories, social media posts, talks, walks and displays.

Your own memories and local knowledge may be just as valuable as written sources. Many important stories are remembered by people who lived through them, worked in local industries, went to local schools, shopped in the town centre, or had family connections with Congleton’s past.

This role may suit you if you enjoy reading, writing, asking questions, remembering local stories, or helping bring history to life for others.

Museums are not only about looking at objects – they are also places for children and families to explore, ask questions and enjoy learning together.

Learning and family activities volunteers help us make the museum more engaging for younger visitors, school groups and families.

You might help create trails, simple games, hands-on activities, school resources or family-friendly displays. You may also help at events during holidays or special activity days.

You do not need to have worked in education. What matters most is patience, imagination and an interest in helping children and families enjoy the museum.

This role may suit you if you enjoy practical activities, working with families, creative ideas, or helping younger generations connect with local history.

The museum wants to bring local history to people who may not be able to visit us easily.
Care homes and reminiscence volunteers help us prepare and support sessions for older people, care home residents and dementia-friendly groups.

You might help prepare memory boxes, choose photographs or objects, support conversations, assist with practical arrangements, or help during visits and workshops.

Local memories can be very powerful. A photograph, object, song, workplace name or street scene can open up conversations and help people feel connected to their own lives and to the town.

This role may suit you if you are kind, patient, a good listener, and interested in the social value of museums.

In 2026, Congleton Museum is also looking for volunteers to support two special projects.

Our Disappearing Nature

This project explores how Congleton’s ecosystem has changed over the last 100 years. In summer 2026, we will create an exhibition, family activities and nature walks connected with the project.

Volunteers can help with research, plant recording, developing and running family activities, supporting events, promotion and community engagement.

You can learn more here:
https://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk/our-disappearing-nature/

Bossons Factory Exhibition Project

The museum is developing a project about Bossons Factory, one of Congleton’s best-known creative businesses. Our collection includes around 200 Bossons objects, including the famous plaster wall masks, plaques and character heads produced between 1946 and 1996.

We would like to bring together local memories, artists’ stories, objects and archive material to tell the story of this important Congleton business.

Volunteers can help with research, collecting memories, working with the collection, exhibition preparation, events and promotion.

We want more people to know what is happening at the museum and to feel that the museum belongs to them.

Marketing and community engagement volunteers help us spread the word about exhibitions, events, activities and opportunities.

You might help distribute posters and leaflets, connect with local groups, support promotion through schools, churches, clubs or community networks, suggest new ways to reach people, or help with social media if that interests you.

This role may suit you if you enjoy talking to people, making connections, sharing news, or helping the museum become more visible in the town.

You do not always need to come into the museum to volunteer with us.

Some tasks can be done from home, and we welcome online volunteers who would like to help with research, writing, checking information, preparing object stories, transcription, or supporting our online collection.

You can live in Congleton, elsewhere in the UK, or even further away. What matters is an interest in local heritage and a wish to help.
Online volunteering may suit you if you prefer to work from home, have limited time, live outside the area, or would like to contribute in a quieter and more flexible way.