Would you like to bring new audiences to a site where Henry I was buried, where Jane Austen was taught and where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned? Do you want to unearth Reading Abbey’s secrets through research, using original documents? Would you like your work to be part of a major Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) project that will directly impact on Reading and the surrounding area? The Reading Abbey Revealed Volunteer role might be for you!
The Reading Abbey Revealed Project
The Abbey Ruins have been closed for health and safety reasons since 2009. Reading Borough Council has recently received a grant for £3.15 million and with this funding will be undertaking site conservation, site-wide interpretation, new signage and an activity and events programme.
This is an exciting opportunity for a volunteer to be involved in this HLF project. The volunteer will make a significant contribution to work being done on a major national site. The successful completion of the Abbey Quarter project will have a positive long-term impact on the town. It will make a difference to people both individually and as a community, including residents and visitors to Reading, by once again enabling access to a source of local pride and identity.

The Role
The individual will assist the project team by conducting research for the Abbey Quarter interpretation and developing online content. They will work closely with the rest of the volunteers researching selected Abbey related material such as paintings, drawings, maps, plans and photographs. The research that is carried out by the volunteers will ultimately shape an exhibition next year. The work done will be added to the Reading Museum online catalogue, increasing accessibility to the collection for the public and it will also be used as a starting point for the Abbey Quarter interpretation team.

We want the volunteer to get as much as possible from the role. Although a lot of the project will involve independent research at home, in libraries or record offices, the volunteer will have the opportunity to be part of a major project. This will include working with museum professionals, gaining experience and an insight into the work that collections, education and exhibitions teams do.

The volunteer will be offered the chance to develop numerous skills new social skills that will always make you attractive to any employer and boost your C.V., including working with computer databases, developing research and analytical techniques, working as part of a team and meeting new people, experience of working to deadlines, contributing to the Reading community and gaining general experience of working in the heritage sector, on a large project. Ultimately you would be part of a unique project that offers a unique experience, where your work will actually contribute to something!

To Apply: Fill in the Volunteer Registration Form found at http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/volunteer/ and email the completed form to curator@readingmuseum.org.uk