Volunteering

Volunteers are integral and valued members of the Horniman team assisting us in both visitor-facing roles and vital work behind-the-scenes.

Along with a supportive learning environment, we offer the chance to gain new skills and experience or simply to do something you enjoy.

Current vacancies

Evaluation Volunteer – Out of Context Exhibition

Closing date: 09/02/2025
  • Fixed term from mid February to the end of April, one day a week, (Wednesdays or Thursdays)
  • Anticipated start date: 19 or 20 February
  • If shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview Thursday 13 February – please keep this free

The volunteer will be joining the Anthropology department and Formal Learning department to help evaluate the ‘Out of Context’ Exhibition, a temporary exhibition that uses photography, illustration and AI to explore West African cultural traditions and interrogate western museum practices. The volunteer will research and create an evaluation framework, shadow Benin Kingdom school sessions, observe visitor engagement and write an evaluation report.

Closing date: Sunday 9 February 2025, 10pm

Interested? Find out more in the role description.

Please complete our online form to apply, or email volunteering@horniman.ac.uk for an application form.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and circumstances. Adjustments are available to support your application and placement in this role. Please get in touch if you have any questions. You do not need to have experience in all areas to apply for the role.

Butterfly House Volunteer

Closing date: 25/01/2025

Closing date: Saturday 25 January, 10am

  • Ongoing, minimum 3 months, weekly, afternoons 1.00-3.30pm (Monday or Saturday)
  • Anticipated start date: Mid-February
  • If shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview Saturday 1 February – please keep this free

This role aims to inspire our visitors, helping them to learn about the insects, their lifecycle, habitats and how they feed. The volunteer would be helping the small team of four staff who care for the both the butterflies and the animals in the Animal Walk.

The Horniman butterfly house houses a range of tropical butterflies in a hot and humid environment.  Our aim is to recreate their natural surroundings, not only to support the butterflies, but to inspire our visitors, helping them to learn about the insects, their lifecycle, habitats and how they feed. The volunteer would be helping the small team of four staff who care for the both the butterflies and the animals in the Animal Walk.

Interested? Find out more in the role description.

Please complete our online form to apply, or email volunteering@horniman.ac.uk for an application form.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and circumstances. Adjustments are available to support your application and placement in this role. Please get in touch if you have any questions. You do not need to have experience in all areas to apply for the role.

We can only accept applications when volunteering roles are advertised.

Find any current roles on this page.

We take volunteers from age 15 upwards though some roles will only be available to those aged 18 and over. Where this is the case, this will be clear on the role description. There is no upper age limit.

No. Volunteer roles are different from staff roles and do not lead to paid work.

However, they do provide an opportunity to gain skills and experience.

We reimburse out-of-pocket travel expenses up to a maximum of £12 per day.

Volunteers offering a full day shift can also be reimbursed lunch expenses.

For on-going roles which are usually weekly or fortnightly, like Engage, Family Activity or Gardening, we ask for a minimum of 4-5 months if possible.

Fixed term student volunteer placements last 3 months, doing 1-3 days a week.

We are able to provide a few work experience opportunities for school students each year, depending on capacity. Find out more on our work experience webpage.

Yes, you may volunteer whilst on benefits, but you would need to let the Job Centre know about your volunteering.

The Horniman acknowledges the contribution of volunteers in supporting the organisation to achieve its aim to connect people with global cultures and the natural world, and encourage everyone to shape a positive future for the world we all share.

Read the Volunteering Policy (PDF).