Volunteering
opportunities

Bringing our Museum to life!

The National Waterways Museum is operated by The Waterways Trust, a registered charity, and is home to the national collection of historic boats.  The Museum works in partnership with the Boat Museum Society who help co-ordinate, train and support the work and activities of volunteers.

Volunteers play a vital role in enhancing the work of a small team of Museum staff in the preservation of historic boats, and the skills, knowledge, and way of life of the waterways.

To get involved, you don’t need any previous knowledge of boats and waterways – our volunteers join us with a wide range of work and life experience – all you need is some time to spare and a desire to put it to
good use.

If you come to us as a volunteer we can give you:

• The chance to help the Museum
• New skills
• All the training you need
• An awful lot in the way of thanks not to mention tea, coffee and lunch!
  

All Museum volunteers:

• Become part of an enthusiastic community
• Spend time in a unique and historic waterside setting
• Learn about fascinating history and stories
• Work in a sociable and friendly environment
• Use their skills and knowledge in new and rewarding ways
• Hone existing skills or learn new ones.

• A willingness to engage with visitors of all ages and backgrounds
• An ability to commit a regular amount of time and be flexible about work days, including weekends and Bank Holidays
• The ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness to learn new skills and techniques

Then you already have some of the vital skills and qualities needed
to become a volunteer

We need volunteers to help out in many different ways - (download an application form)

• looking after the Historic boats (more information)
• working with the curatorial team (more information)
• demonstrating boats around the Museum basin (more information)
  
• bringing Porters Row historic cottages to life (more information)
• helping with site maintenance (more information)
• supporting school visits to the Museum (more information)
• tending the gardens and the flower beds (more information)
  
• giving guided tours of the Museum (more information)
• supporting work in the Archive (more information)
• helping in reception, shop or café (more information)
• helping on event days and during school holidays

Daphne and Di hard at work in the kitchen of a cottage in Porter's Row

Cath, Shirley and Linda sorting through the photograph catalogue in the Archives. When the decorating has finished in the outer room, plans are being prepared to have the archives available at weekends for the public.

Whether you have a few hours a month or a few hours a day, we would love to hear from you. 

To find out more about the Museum and collections visit www.nwm.org.uk

For more information or to register interest, click here to send email , download and post this form or phone us on 0151 355 5017.

We look forward to welcoming you to our team.

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This lively group meets monthly in the Island Warehouse, upper floor, to demonstrate the traditional crafts of the inland waterways. The full list of dates is in the Diary.

Crafts demonstrated include boatman's belt embroidery, bonnet making, cabin crochet, canal ware painting, rag rugging, patchwork, leather belt making, and lace plate decoration.

Coffee and Crochet group meets in the old cafe on Tuesdays 10.15am to 12.15pm. They have made blankets and lace for the boats. Everyone welcome - coffee - tuition - materials - all for a small voluntary donation.

Rag rugging group meets in the old cafe on Tuesdays 10.15am to 12.15pm. They are making rag rugs for the boats and the Porters Row cottages. Everyone welcome - coffee - tuition - materials - all for a small voluntary donation.

New members are most welcome and tuition is offered to beginners.

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