Saturday Storytelling Club Volunteer

Grime’s Graves Storytelling Club Volunteer

Role Description

Why does English Heritage need my support?

Grime’s Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain. This grassy lunar landscape of over 400 pits is of national significance, not just for its rare archaeology, but because it is set amid the distinctive Breckland Heath landscape, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a habitat for rare plants and fauna.

As part of our ongoing work in community engagement we are looking to recruit a small team of enthusiastic Storytelling Volunteers to help us share Grime’s Graves’ story. You will be a crucial part of the Grime’s Graves team, helping us reach more young people across the area by attending off-site events at libraries, village fairs, and community spaces.

How much time will I be expected to give?  

This is a flexible role and will differ depending upon what element of this role you become involved with. We are happy to discuss availability with you one-on-one to find an approach to volunteering which works for us all.

We are looking for volunteers to help us approximately 1- 2 mornings a month (between 4 – 8 hours a month).

Where will I be based?

You will need to be able to attend off-site events across the Local area, roughly within 1 hour driving of Grime’s Graves, Lynford, Thetford, IP26 5DE.

What will I be doing?

This new role will be instrumental in opening the site up to more Children, sharing the story of Grime’s Graves with the next generation. As part of the role you will:

·      Support and once confident, deliver the Storytelling Club, which is a short 20- 30 minute telling of a newly commissioned children’s story about Grime’s Graves written by Author, Sophie Kirtely with a small team of Volunteers

·      Work in collaboration with our Handling Collection Volunteers to create inspiring events to bring history to life through stories and objects

·      Help in identifying community locations (such as libraries or community centres) where we could promote our opportunities with further readings, stand-alone promotional materials and ideally be able to help deliver and set these up at places local to you

·      Help to look after our Saturday Storytelling equipment, objects, and costumes such as collecting and returning these items to Grave’s Graves

·      We are always trying to improve our offer, so helping evaluate the effectiveness of the outreach programme is an important part of this role.

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?   

This role is well suited to someone with a passion for storytelling, performance, or theatre who would enjoy facilitating creative activities and working with young people to foster inspiring learning environments.

We are looking for people who are passionate about working with children and young people and have an imaginative, approachable way of interacting with young people. You will enjoy chatting with people of all ages and backgrounds and be able to adapt your communication style to suit your audience.

What support and training will I receive?

You will be invited to attend a Welcome to English Heritage Induction session, and receive an accompanying Volunteer Handbook. You will also work closely with our staff teams and be allocated a Volunteer Manager to support you in your tasks.

You will receive role-specific training, including:

• How to deliver events and presentations
• Setting up event stalls
• 1-1 storytelling training with a professional storyteller
• Site-based learning material on the history of Grime’s Graves

·      Safeguarding young people training

• All relevant health and safety considerations.

There will also be the opportunity to take part in further training throughout the year by joining our expert-led field trips. There will also be opportunities to get involved in other on site projects such as a Youth Led Film Project and Stone Age re-enactment days.

What will English Heritage expect from me?

• To be the friendly face of English Heritage and deliver excellent customer service
• To be reliable in attendance and dependable
• Help us maintain the highest standards of presentation at our sites and properties
• To wear English Heritage volunteer uniform where provided
• Help us protect our properties and collections by understanding and following our security and safety procedures
• Maintain good working relationships with staff, other volunteers and members of the public
• Attend appropriate training and learn about the work of English Heritage
• Observe organisational policy and procedures
• Safeguard confidential information about English Heritage and let us know about anything relating to your role or the work of English Heritage that you think might be controversial
• Any documentary or other material (including any copyright applying thereto) you are provided with or created by you in respect of your volunteering will be the property and copyright of English Heritage (unless otherwise agreed in writing).

What can I expect from English Heritage?   

• A welcoming and enjoyable experience
• To be treated fairly and with respect
• Recognition and appreciation for your contribution
• A full induction and training programme with on-going support
• A volunteer pass allowing free entry to English Heritage properties is available on completion of 60 hours or four months of regular volunteering
• Reimbursement of reasonable local travel costs between home and volunteering location within agreed limits
• A certificate to demonstrate work carried out for English Heritage is available on request to show future employers or further education providers
• You will be covered by English Heritage’s own indemnity arrangements in respect of all liabilities that may result from your appointment as a volunteer.