Volunteer Telford

Role Summary

You will be a key part of the visitor offer and instrumental in delivering the museum trusts charitable aims.

As a costumed steam demonstrator, you will operate items of the Trusts working machinery collection and explain its operation and significance in the third person.

Main Tasks

Operation of the Trust working machinery collection at the Blists Hill site which consists primarily of steam boilers and engines.  

Location

Blists Hill Victorian Town. Based at various locations around site.

Expected Commitment

We are looking for someone who can commit to at least one regular full day a week.

Training

We will train you to understand the principles and properties of steam and develop a competency in the safe and sympathetic operation of specific pieces of our historic working collection.  

More Information

Blists Hill is the busiest site in the Trusts portfolio and this role will have a high profile on site. The individuals carrying out this role will be ambassadors for the Trust and its values and will need to be warm and enthusiastic.

The role will require a reasonable amount of physical activity and on occasion working outside in all weather. The role will also involve talking to large groups of people of all ages and from diverse backgrounds whilst not being distracted from safely operating the machinery.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for al staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

This role description is subject to periodic review.

As an Awareness Ambassador, you can play an important role in increasing awareness of diabetes locally and online.

You will support Diabetes UK campaigns by taking leaflets and posters along to local community venues such as libraries and community centres and like and share on our social media.

Diabetes UK is a national charity, supporting people who live with or are at risk of developing diabetes. Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm. We’re leading the fight against the UK's biggest and fastest growing health crisis. And it's a fight that involves us all – sharing knowledge and taking on diabetes together.

What you will do:

The volunteer will be helping the chef in the preparation of meals, keeping the kitchen clean and tidy including fridges

Volunteer will also help in serving tea, coffee and cakes to customers.

Time commitment:

Monday to Friday between the hours from 12 noon till 2pm

Benefits:

Travel expenses will be paid

Certificate of achievement after 3 months of volunteering

Increase confidence and self-esteem

Develop new skills and make new friends

Access to training and progress to new opportunities.

Training: 

Volunteers are required to attend food safety training

This role will require a DBS check.

Ironbridge Coracle Trust is a small, registered CIO (Charity No. 1161685) focused on telling the story of the Ironbridge Coracle and its relevance to the wonderful World Heritage Site of the Ironbridge Gorge.  The Trust was established in 2015 and now has a strong core of 8 Trustees with varying skills that they bring to the board.

In 2019 the Trust was successful in securing National Lottery Heritage Funding and the project will be completed by the end of October 2022. The project has enabled the Trust to restore the Old Coracle Shed, create a Coracle Man Sculpture, and a New Shed which is now a visitor attraction telling the story of Coracles in Ironbridge, and run a varied programme of community focused events.

As the project comes to an end, we need to look at sustainability of the Trust without the financial support of the Heritage Fund. This can only be achieved by growing our fundraising. Therefore, we are looking a new Trustee with Charity or Heritage Sector Fundraising experience to ensure our resilience post project.

The Role of the Trustee

Ironbridge Coracle Trustees share ultimate responsibility for governing the charity and directing how it is managed and run.

As a Trustee you will help develop and set the strategic aims, objectives, and direction of the charity. The skills and knowledge you bring will enhance the Board and support the Trust.

There is a core of Trustees who are very active in the delivery of events and organisational tasks, whilst others play a more strategic and guiding role.  All have something to offer the Trust.

Summary of Role: Ironbridge Coracle Trust (the Trust) is looking to appoint a new trustee with a professional background in charity fundraising to join Ironbridge Coracle’s Board of Trustees

Commitment: Flexible, initially we envisage more hours to help set up a fundraising strategy, but after this it may only take a few hours a month.

Fundraising Strategy

Once the project finishes at the end of October 22 the Trust will have no paid staff.  The Trust is currently clarifying its liabilities and developing a business plan for post project. The annual running costs are in the region of £7.5k- £10K with additional funding needing to be secured for discrete projects.

The Trust currently fundraises through a ‘mixed economy’ approach

- Sales of merchandise- (currently very limited)

- Sponsorship/ support from a local business

- Donations

- Events and activities including the annual Ironbridge Coracle Regatta

- Grants: four of the Trustees have experience in writing funding bids and as a small charity the Trust has been successful in raising funds this way.