Volunteering at the Lapworth Museum of Geology

The Lapworth Museum of Geology is one of the oldest specialist geological museums in the UK and contains some of the finest collections of rocks, fossils, and minerals. Following a £2.7 million redevelopment, the museum provides an inspiring and accessible insight into how the Earth formed and changed through time, and how life on Earth developed.

Volunteers are one of the key strengths of the museum, and we benefit from their diverse skills and experience, and the enthusiasm and commitment that they bring to the Museum Team. 
 
We are not currently seeking new volunteers, but feel free to get in touch if you have any questions at lapworth@contacts.bham.ac.uk.



Hear_From_Catriona

Hear from a Volunteer - Catriona

“The Museum holds an extensive archive of material relating to all aspects of Charles Lapworth's life including his research, teaching, and consultancy work; as well as giving an insight into his personal life and the social history of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

I have been a volunteer with the museum for five years, mainly in the archives but also have had the opportunity to be involved in other activities, such as contributing to the Object of the Month series.

I participated in the recent Unlocking Lapworth's Legacy Project, funded by Archives Revealed, which catalogued the archive material. It proved to be surprisingly relevant and relatable to modern concerns. For example, letters dealing with the significant mental and physical health problems Lapworth lived with throughout his long and highly successful career.

Any communication captures a moment in time but there is a particular pleasure to be gained from holding a handwritten letter and reading what one of Lapworth's closest academic collaborators has written concerning a request for some 'geological gossip ', the 19th century equivalent of a water cooler moment or perhaps WhatsApp message.”

 
Our Expectations
We expect the Lapworth Museum volunteers to treat the museum collections with respect and sensitivity. We expect the volunteers to be polite and courteous to the public/visitors, other volunteers, staff and students. We expect volunteers to observe the Lapworth Museum procedures-policies-standards. We hope that our volunteers will commit an appropriate time to their volunteering activities. Further details are available in our Volunteer Guidelines and Volunteer Agreement which you will receive when you begin volunteering.