Volunteer Tour Guides: Heritage & Collections

We are seeking to recruit 5 volunteers as Tour Guides for Torre Abbey’s Historic House and Collections. Through training new volunteer guides, we hope to raise awareness of Torre Abbey’s stunning collections of Fine and Applied Art, Social History and Archaeology. You will also learn about Torre Abbey’s built heritage - an Accredited museum, art gallery, historic house and Ancient Scheduled Monument.

Who are we looking for?
You will have a keen interest in history, heritage and museum/art collections and will be enthusiastic about Torbay’s rich cultural heritage. You will be a confident speaker who is able to share your new knowledge about Torre Abbey and it’s collections with small groups of visitors and organised tours. You will be aged 17 or over to apply.

What will we expect from you?
We are looking for Tour Guide volunteers who can be available for approximately 4 half-day training sessions (daytimes) through November 2015, and be able to put aside a small amount of time for private reading/research. Once you are confident to deliver tours, we anticipate that our volunteers will deliver approximately 8 tours through the Winter 2015/Spring 2016 period. We welcome applications from those who would like to continue volunteering with us over the longer term.

What will you get in return?
As part of Torre Abbey’s team, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of Torbay’s premier heritage site – an Accredited museum, art gallery, historic house and English Heritage Ancient Scheduled Monument. Our knowledgeable Art Historian and Learning & Engagement Officer, Dee Martin, will provide training on Torre Abbey’s history and collections. In addition to your volunteering hours, you will have access to a range of training opportunities including museums-specific training, and local authority training as appropriate. We value the contribution of our volunteers and seek to provide development opportunities where individuals express an interest.

How to apply?
Send an email to Dee Martin, Learning Officer at dee.martin@torbay.gov.uk with the following information:
• Write ‘Spotlight Tour Guide Volunteers’ in the Subject line.
• Give your name, address, email address and contact telephone number.
• A brief description of your experience to date and why you are interested in becoming a Tour Guide Volunteer.
• Information on your other current commitments, and what days/times you would be available for volunteering/training.

Application deadline for Tour Guide Volunteers: Monday 12th October 2015 at 5pm.
We will invited shortlisted applicants to visit us at Torre Abbey in mid-October to meet the team and discuss volunteering opportunities in more detail.

For more information visit http://www.torre-abbey.org.uk/news/details/volunteer-tour-guides-heritage-collections