Without the support of over 70 volunteers, we would not be able to achieve what we do in preserving our heritage and providing meaningful opportunities for engagement and inspiration.

Joining our volunteer team is one of the most valuable contributions you can make to our work and the communities we serve.

As a volunteer you can:

• Help make Wheal Martyn a wonderful place to visit
• Preserve and protect collections, archives and historic buildings
• Enable young people to learn, build confidence and discover their sense of place
• Enable those who are disadvantaged to have positive, life enhancing experiences
• Further research and understanding of our heritage and raise awareness
• Work with our outdoors team to care for the environment and landscape
• Work directly on our unique collections and projects, making them accessible to a wider audience

We hope that volunteering will also help you:

• Meet new people and form friendships
• Challenge yourself and gain confidence
• Have enjoyable, active and memorable experiences
• Gain new skills, knowledge and experience
• Pass on your knowledge and skills to others
• Simply escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a while!

“Volunteering has given me a fantastic opportunity to improve my feelings of self-worth and truly shine in a peaceful and vibrant corner of Cornwall’s heritage.” Regular Volunteer

Who can volunteer?

All you need to volunteer is enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in - a museum background or strong interest in industrial heritage is by no means essential.

Our roles are wide ranging, suiting those who love meeting people right through to those with very specific historical interests. No matter what your interest, age, experience, ability or background, we hope you will find an opportunity at Wheal Martyn that suits you!

“Working with our fabulous volunteers is always a pleasure and it’s so rewarding to witness what they get out of their experience with us - developing new skills, meeting new people, discovering their heritage, re-living memories or simply having a lot of fun!” Jo Moore, Curator

Our volunteer roles include:

• Public facing – welcoming visitors, giving guided tours, carrying out visitor surveys, attending events, helping on the admissions desk or in the shop
• Heritage focused – dealing with collection documentation, hands on conservation, research, historic building maintenance
• Engagement – helping with education groups, activities and workshops, social media, writing blogs
• Grounds maintenance– gardening, painting and decorating, vegetation clearance, environmental conservation
• General – fundraising, admin, marketing, photography, maintaining shop displays

What is the time commitment?

Volunteering is flexible; you can give as much or as little time as suits you, either on a regular or occasional basis.

Current opportunities

Check out the volunteering roles we are currently looking to fill on our Join the Team page. Although this is a specific selection of roles, we are always keen to hear from prospective volunteers interested in any volunteer roles.

Become a volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sue Ford, Museum Manager, for an informal discussion or complete our volunteer application form.

Meet our volunteers

Read about the experiences of just a few of our volunteers:

Ian Kestle: Volunteer Guide and Meeter Greeter

Jane Wellicome: Collections Volunteer

Sherrall Smith: Grounds Volunteer

Si Durrant: Collections and Education Volunteer

Museums are inspiring, dynamic places, evolving all the time and celebrating as much about our modern world as they do our rich and fascinating past.  They are a place for everyone to be themselves and discover something new.  Wheal Martyn is no exception: with our welcoming, friendly team and comfortable, inviting surroundings amongst the former Victorian clay works and ancient woodland, you will not feel under any pressure and can truly challenge any misconception that museums are places just for the elite.