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

Butterfly House Volunteer

Closing date: 27/11/2026
  • Our volunteers help the small team of staff to care for the butterflies and engage with our visitors, adults and children, to educate and inspire them.
  • We provide all necessary training – you don’t need to have any previous experience
  • We are looking for volunteers who can volunteer weekly on one of the following times:

– Monday afternoons (1.30 – 3.45pm).

– Saturday mornings (10.30-12.45)

– Sunday mornings (10.30-12.45)

– Sunday afternoons (1.30-3.45pm)

  • This role would suit someone who has an interest in Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), is comfortable spending time standing in a hot and humid environment and enjoys engaging and talking with visitors of all ages
  • This role is open to applicants aged 18 and over

To Apply

Find out more in the role description below.

Please complete our online form, or email volunteering@horniman.ac.uk for an application form or if you have any questions. Please apply for this role by 10pm on Friday 27 November. 

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.

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to an informal group selection session on Saturday 5 December.

Engage Volunteer

Closing date: 09/11/2026

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to engage with visitors to have a richer, more hands-on experience through handling objects and talking about our displays. We provide all the necessary training – you don’t need to have any previous experience. This role is particularly suited to people who are interested engaging with families, school groups, and children. We are recruiting for volunteers across the week Monday to Saturday.

The role includes:

  • Supporting visitors to learn through handling objects from the Horniman’s Handling Collection e.g. fossils, shells, and textiles
  • Talking to visitors in the Butterfly House and Aquarium
  • Engaging with families, school groups, and children

To Apply

Find out more in the role description below.

Please complete our online form, or email volunteering@horniman.ac.uk for an application form or if you have any questions.

Interviews will be held on Saturday 14 November, 10.30am – 12.00pm or Wednesday 18 November, 3.00 – 4.30pm, with induction on Saturday 21 November, 9.00am – 1.00pm.

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.

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).