Make it Regular

Are you interested in museum collections and history? Do you live, work or study in Luton? 

We are looking for a group of volunteers to help us update our inventory of the collection.

If you like working as part of a team, have an eye for detail. Are you a keen photographer and interested in conservation? If so,  you have the skills we are looking for.

You will be working closely with historical artefacts, labelling and cataloguing them on the database, and co-curating small displays.

This is a 6 month project and runs from January to June 2026 and may be renewed.

What's involved?

Established in 2008, The Culture Trust, Luton is a vibrant and progressive independent charity and our mission is ‘to connect communities through culture’. We look after a collection of over 90,000 museum objects and 1.5 million photographs and maps, on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

The collection is partly displayed at Wardown House, Museum & Gallery and Stockwood Discovery Centre, with the majority of objects being held in storage both onsite and offsite. We hold the most extensive and complete Hat and Headwear collection in the UK and a significant collection of Horse-Drawn Carriages. The collection includes Archaeology, Natural History, Social History, Paintings, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, Fashion, Furniture, Transport and Industry.

We are currently recruiting a team of Collection Volunteers. You will be involved in an exciting project to conduct a review and inventory of the entire museum collection. Tasks involve handling collection objects, auditing, photography and database work. You will contribute to improving our records and will support with cataloguing and making information available to the public.

Please note the role include physical work and requires standing for long periods of time, using ladders, lifting and moving small/medium objects.

You will be assisting with:

• Auditing the collection and labelling artefacts
• Using the collection management database
• Selecting objects and stories for public displays and writing interpretation labels
• Conducting research
• Digital and Social media engagement
• Photography

If you can commit one day per week or at least one day per fortnight (Monday to Thursday, 10am to 3:30pm), we’d love to hear from you.

Please send us a short letter (half a page), explaining:

• Why you are interested in this role
• How you currently spend your time and your interests
• Your availability
• Any skill you have that might be useful in this volunteer role

You will be invited to an informal chat with the Lead, Collection Management and Care and the Museum Curator.

Why get involved?

This  a great opportunity to access the stored collection and be part of the vital work that takes place behind the scenes, to make exhibitions and displays possible. As well as having the opportunity to co-curate small displays.  

How to get involved?

It is easy to get involved:-

1. If new to Museum Makers please sign up. www.museummakers.co.uk

2. Click accept on the challenge link

3. You will recieve an email with more instructions on the next steps.

4. Thats all you need to do.