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Our Volunteering Activities

Find out more about the exciting activities our volunteers get involved in, past and present, and why they choose to gift their time and skills to help preserve our heritage and enhance our library services.

Feeling inspired? View our volunteering opportunities here Check out our latest Volunteer Newsletter here

Recruiting Charnwood Museum Young ChampionsAs part of our Making Leicestershire My Home project, Charnwood Museum are looking to recruit Young Champions to support the project to make positive change in the community. Making Leicestershire...Find out more about 'Recruiting Charnwood Museum Young Champions'

Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer GroupIf you want advice on local history and genealogy, then you won’t find more knowledgeable and enthusiastic people than the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG)!Find out more about 'Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group'

Our Commitment Towards RecognitionIt’s important to us that volunteers feel recognised for the time, energy and skills they dedicate to our services and the local community. We like to do this is lots of different ways, from a simple thank you, to nominating volunteers for awards, and holding celebration events.Find out more about 'Our Commitment Towards Recognition'

3 elderly people sat at a table. One man is reading a piece of paper.

Discovering great literature through Shared ReadingShared Reading groups bring people together through great literature to talk, laugh and share. Each week, the Volunteer Reader Leader brings a story or poem to read aloud, and throughout the session the group pauses to reflect & share their thoughts and connections to the literature.Find out more about 'Discovering great literature through Shared Reading'

Five volunteers stood outside the house. some are in period costumes.

Bringing the 1620s House and Garden to life!The 1620s Manor House and Garden at Donington Le Heath have a team of over thirty dedicated volunteers who help bring the site to life. House Interpreters help visitors explore the house, providing information about its history and artefacts, whilst the Garden Volunteers develop and maintain the unique gardens.Find out more about 'Bringing the 1620s House and Garden to life!'

Leicestershire County Council Collections Team Volunteers!Leicestershire County Council’s Museum Collections reflect the natural life of the County as well as the histories, interests and aspirations of the people who have made it their home. The Collections team works with various groups of volunteers who enable us to make our collections more accessible.Find out more about 'Leicestershire County Council Collections Team Volunteers!'

Volunteering at the Record OfficeThe Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland exists to preserve and provide access to a wide range of resources which can be used to research the history and culture of our locality and its place within the world. The extensive collections, dating from the Domesday Book to yesterday, include archives, books, newspapers, maps, photographs, videos and sound recordings.Find out more about 'Volunteering at the Record Office'

Two men and two women stood outside in the garden

Growing the MuseumGrowing the Museum is a volunteer-led, community project at Melton Carnegie Museum, which was initiated to grow heritage fruits and vegetables in the grounds of the museum.Find out more about 'Growing the Museum'

Market 800 – Celebrating the 800th anniversary of Loughborough Market and FairMarket 800 was a partnership project between Leicestershire County Council, Charnwood Borough Council, and Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteers. It explored the market and fair through the ages – capturing...Find out more about 'Market 800 – Celebrating the 800th anniversary of Loughborough Market and Fair'

Collage with pictures of people in the phone and old images of families and houses

Exploring Family History by PhoneAbout the Project When the third lockdown began in January 2021 the Participation Team immediately started looking for ways that we could support local people who were at an increased...Find out more about 'Exploring Family History by Phone'

A group of volunteers and participation team members standing on a stage. one volunteer is holding a certificate.

Volunteers Win Regional Award!At 9.00am on 1st November 2021 a small group of volunteers and Participation Team staff stepped onto a minibus headed to the British Museum in London to take part in a celebration event. Little did they know they would be returning home as winners of the East Midlands Regional Marsh Trust Award for Volunteers in Museum Learning.Find out more about 'Volunteers Win Regional Award!'

Two women in a record room with bookshelves and filing cabinets.

Research Volunteers are back at Melton Carnegie Museum!After a break due to covid, we are happy to announce that this month we reintroduced the Research Volunteers group at Melton Carnegie Museum. Following a successful recruitment, we are also happy to welcome five new volunteers to the team!Find out more about 'Research Volunteers are back at Melton Carnegie Museum!'

Group sat around a library table with coffee and biscuits. They are reading printed pages with text on them.

Get involved with Shared Reading!Leicestershire Shared Reading (LSR), in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, supports a thriving network of ‘Make Friends, with a Book’ Shared Reading groups. These groups bring people together through great...Find out more about 'Get involved with Shared Reading!'

Four adults sat talking at a table. They each have a book in front of them.

My experience as a Reader Leader Volunteer – by Helena AbbeyIf you’re looking for a new volunteering opportunity, then look no further! Leicestershire Shared Reading in partnership with Leicestershire County Council are looking for volunteers to support and lead Shared...Find out more about 'My experience as a Reader Leader Volunteer – by Helena Abbey'

Winner of Leicestershire AwardLeicestershire Shared Reading (LSR), in partnership with Leicestershire County Council’s Library Service, supports a thriving network of ‘Make Friends, with a Book’ Shared Reading groups. Since their launch in 2016,...Find out more about 'Winner of Leicestershire Award'

Melton Secondary School Students Volunteer at Museum Open DayOn the 27th of October, Melton Carnegie Museum opened its doors to over 150 visitors for a day of creativity, culture and cake! Six fantastic students volunteered to help support the day and ensure activities ran smoothly.Find out more about 'Melton Secondary School Students Volunteer at Museum Open Day'

Information board that reads: our new wildlife pond started February 2020. hello, the team of garden volunteers is working to create a wildlife pond. first we have to dig it out in a shape that allows creatures to get in and out. next we have to install a waterproof lining. then we fill it with water! finally we will put plants in and around the pond. we are following good advice in a book on ponds.

Wildlife Pond at 1620 Manor HouseAs winter approaches and another season at the 1620 Manor House comes to an end, the newly created wildlife pond is complete, and we are all looking forward to seeing what new residents it will bring in Spring 2022.Find out more about 'Wildlife Pond at 1620 Manor House'

A 1620s House and Gardens Volunteer PoemOne of the 1620s House and Gardens volunteers has written a poem about her volunteering experience!Find out more about 'A 1620s House and Gardens Volunteer Poem'

Melton Carnegie Museum Young VolunteersOur relationship with Long Field Spencer Academy has gone from strength to strength since their involvement at a Community Engagement event at Melton Carnegie Museum back in October 2022. In...Find out more about 'Melton Carnegie Museum Young Volunteers'

Volunteers Support Local History ResearchYou may know the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteers from their wonderful exhibitions and publications that they research and create. One example is their Portraits, Pastimes and Parades from the...Find out more about 'Volunteers Support Local History Research'

A Huge Thank You to The Hinckley HistoriansWe want to celebrate and thank the Bosworth Explorers for the fantastic things they have achieved while based at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. Earlier this year the adult learners, from...Find out more about 'A Huge Thank You to The Hinckley Historians'

Another Fantastic Year in Leicestershire Shared ReadingLeicestershire Shared Reading are a group that have proven to be extremely valuable to the communities in which they reside. A team of Reader Leader volunteers offer their time, experience,...Find out more about 'Another Fantastic Year in Leicestershire Shared Reading'

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre Social StoryThe Bosworth Explorers have done some amazing things at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. They are a group of adult learners who embarked on a Learning for Independence course only to...Find out more about 'Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre Social Story'

A Thank you to our Volunteers!In November, volunteers from across the county united for a day of celebration. Amidst engaging speeches, delicious food, and captivating tours of Beaumanor Hall, we proudly introduced Assemble, the new...Find out more about 'A Thank you to our Volunteers!'

Harborough Adult Learners at Work This year, Culture Leicestershire’s Volunteer Team has had the pleasure of co-curating two new display cases with Market Harborough’s Learning for Independence group. The class meets at The Cube on...Find out more about 'Harborough Adult Learners at Work '

Finding Out About Your Local AreaLoughborough’s Adult Learning Group has supported many projects in the Library and Charnwood Museum. Their aims to get learners involved in their local area have given them the drive to...Find out more about 'Finding Out About Your Local Area'

Jewellery Unveiling!We had the honour of welcoming the Finding Out About Your Local Area adult learning group to Charnwood Museum for an engaging tour of the My Jewellery, My Story exhibition,...Find out more about 'Jewellery Unveiling!'

The Creative Nature of Friends Welcome Friends Welcome offers a space for the local community to come together and partake in crafting activities to connect with others, combat loneliness and gain a sense of well-being!...Find out more about 'The Creative Nature of Friends Welcome'

Villiers Revealed: A Journey of Discovery and Queer VisibilityThe Villiers Revealed project has been an eye-opening experience for the University of Nottingham students involved, sparking conversations about queer history, heritage, and the importance of representation. From the museum exhibition to personal reflections, the students shared their experiences and the profound impact this project has had on them.Find out more about 'Villiers Revealed: A Journey of Discovery and Queer Visibility'

Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteers Partner with Loughborough UniversityThe Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteers have made significant progress in benefiting their community. In partnership with Loughborough University, they have applied their expertise in research to support two insightful...Find out more about 'Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteers Partner with Loughborough University'

Hinckley Historians Proudly Present Their New ExhibitThe Hinckley Historians are excited to present their “Famous People of Hinckley” exhibit at Hinckley Library! After months of research, hard work, and creativity, the group invites everyone to visit...Find out more about 'Hinckley Historians Proudly Present Their New Exhibit'

3D Printing – Objects and Opportunities!Our visit to the University of Nottingham’s Cobot Maker Space (CMS) was a fascinating day of discovery with collaboration at its heart. This space provides the perfect setting for our...Find out more about '3D Printing – Objects and Opportunities!'

A Day of Inspiring & Innovative Student PresentationsIn March, we had a wonderful time attending two insightful presentations by University of Nottingham students, exploring the fascinating ways that technology can innovate and connect us to our history...Find out more about 'A Day of Inspiring & Innovative Student Presentations'

A Thank You to Volunteers!In March, we welcomed incredible volunteers from across Culture Leicestershire for our annual Volunteer Sharing Day – this time hosted at the University of Leicester Botanic Gardens! It was a...Find out more about 'A Thank You to Volunteers!'

Volunteering with Museum Collections – by Matthew BartlettMatthew has just started his first paid museums role. In this blog he talks about the many benefits of volunteering and how it helped his career prospects. It was early...Find out more about 'Volunteering with Museum Collections – by Matthew Bartlett'