Volunteer at The Whitaker

Volunteers are at the heart of The Whitaker.

From welcoming visitors and supporting events to helping care for our collections, our volunteers play a vital role in everything we do.

Volunteering with us is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and make a difference in your community.

Whether you can give a few hours a week or help out at special events, your time and energy help us keep The Whitaker a vibrant, welcoming space for everyone.

About The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery

The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery is located in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, within the idyllic Whitaker Park.

The Whitaker serves as a vibrant cultural and community hub. The Whitaker is more than a museum and art gallery, it’s a dynamic cultural space that blends history, art, education, and community in a fresh, accessible way.

It exhibits contemporary art alongside historical artefacts, creating a dialogue between past and present. Its permanent collections include natural history displays—such as the striking tiger versus python taxidermy diorama, local industrial heritage covering textiles, mining, and engineering, as well as Victorian curiosities and colonial-era artefacts.

Beyond exhibitions, The Whitaker fosters meaningful community experiences through events, learning programs, and strong partnerships, making it a welcoming hub for creativity and connection.

What skills do I need?

- Meeting and Greeting Visitors

- Exhibition Installation

- Building Maintenance

- Gardening

- Collection Care

- Gallery Invigilation

- Shop Assistance

- Research and Writing

- Early Years and Craft Sessions

- Tours

When do I need to be available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

We are open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm (8pm on Thursdays) and our volunteers work 3 hours shifts (slightly longer on Thursdays) on the front desk, room stewarding and in the gift shop during these hours. Our buildings, gardens and maintenance team work on Tuesdays when the museum is closed to work on any behind the scenes jobs that need completing. While we currently have a full team in our collections department, these volunteers work different shifts working on various projects with our curator.

Where does this role take place?