Join our Volunteer Team

Are you interested in local history and heritage? Macclesfield Museums is looking for volunteers to come and help out.

The Silk Museum and Paradise Mill are located next to each other and are open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10-4pm.

The museums are looking for volunteers who are interested in heritage to come and help out with a variety of tasks, including Front of House and serving in the Tea Shop.

Director at Macclesfield Museums, Emma Anderson, says: “We really need help! If you can spare a day or two a week or even an afternoon it would be hugely helpful. Saturdays and Wednesdays are particularly busy, so it those days suit someone then we would love to hear from you. It is a really friendly place to work and there’s always a lot going on.”

Volunteers are also asked to undertake other duties from time to time to help. If you have an interest in museums then this is a great place to volunteer, as there are opportunities to learn about the collections and the social history of the silk industry in Macclesfield.

To find out more contact: [email protected]

Get Involved

Get Involved

We really value our volunteers and need more people to join our friendly team.

It’s a great way to get out and make new friends. Or maybe you need valuable work experience to help launch your career.

So, if you’re 18 or over, love heritage, you’re willing to learn, enjoy meeting new people and have a bit of spare time, we’d love to hear from you. There’s lots of roles available – from visitor welcome to supporting us ‘behind the scenes’.

Anyone can apply and you’re not limited to one role.

Go on, Get Involved!

Special Event Supporters

Special Event Supporters

Are you a flexible multi-tasker with bags of initiative and a can-do attitude, ready to jump on where help is most needed on busy days in the museum?

Are you an excellent, calm communicator, who knows how to direct your energy where it’s most needed and can deliver exceptional customer service?

If you are, you could help us at peak times on Saturdays, during school holidays and for special events, as part of our friendly and dedicated Front Of House Team.

Special Event Supporters help us…

  • Deliver successful events and excellent visits.
  • Connect better with visitors, providing information and answering all sorts of questions.
  • Provide that all-important welcome.
  • Serve refreshments and cake in the cafe.
Apply Now

 

Visitor Welcome Volunteers

Visitor Welcome Volunteers

Are you someone who is welcoming and approachable, always prepared to engage with visitors and who puts the visitor first in everything they do?

Are you someone who enjoys delivering to the highest standards at all times with excellent attention to detail?

If you are, you could become part of our dedicated Front of House Team at the Silk Museum, developing your own knowledge of our amazing collections.

Visitor Welcome Volunteers help us…

  • Welcome all our visitors, making sure they are well informed and looked after.
  • Welcome our groups, ensuring that they have a seamless experience of the Museum and Paradise Mill.
  • Engage with visitors, providing information on displays, events and activities.
  • Serve refreshments and cake in the cafe.
Apply Now

 

Education Resource Volunteers

Education Resource Volunteers

A large number of school groups visit the museum throughout the year and we always need people to help cut out and prepare the resources they use.

This is a lovely social opportunity to sit with other volunteers and ‘chat while you snip.’

If this appeals to you, then you could become part of our volunteer Education Resource Team preparing resources and making friends in the unique setting of Macclesfield’s Heritage Centre.

Education Resource Volunteers help us…
  • Prepare resources for visiting school groups and family outreach activities.
  • Check costumes and make repairs.
  • Develop ideas for new sessions and resources.
Apply Now
Loom and Machinery Volunteers

Loom and Machinery Volunteers

Are you very practical and interested to learn how our looms and other machines work?

Do you have a background or deep interest in textile production, coding or mechanics and engineering?

If the answer’s yes, then you could gain unique experience in the ongoing maintenance of the looms and other machinery in Paradise Mill and the Silk Museum as part of our incredibly valuable team of Machinery Volunteers.

Loom and Machinery Volunteers help us…

  • Keep our looms maintained and help us get more of our looms working again.
  • Strengthen our unique offer in Paradise Mill.
  • Engage with visitors about the technical aspects of textile engineering.
Apply Now