Sue Hughes

Why do you volunteer?

I volunteer as the chair of trustees for Cruck Cottage Heritage in Torthorwald, Dumfries. It’s a museum with great potential supported by a warm and friendly group of trustees and volunteers.

I volunteer because I know that the professional museum experience I bring can make a big difference to this small organisation and its visitors; from taking the museum through accreditation, securing grant funding, to using my networks and connections to develop and publicise new programmes.

In my day job as a museum development officer, I remotely support around 400 museums, but in this role I get to be hands-on and connect with my colleagues and visitors – from weeding the garden to butter making demonstrations!

What are the benefits of volunteering for you?

There are many benefits both professionally and personally. It’s a great way to make friends, particularly when working in a hybrid situation which means I am often working from home.

It keeps me in touch with the sector and maintains my knowledge and experience which also helps me in my paid role. As a museum development adviser I work with numerous small, independent museums, and volunteering within one keeps me in touch with the current situations they may be facing and gives me new insights into how to tackle issues.

One of the most important benefits is learning a whole range of new skills from my fellow trustees who bring a wealth of professional experience; such as implementing quinquennial surveys or passing on their specialist local knowledge.

What has made it possible for you?

I initially joined as a trustee to help support delivery of the museum’s public programmes, develop an interpretation plan and to explore the option of applying for accreditation. I have had years of experience in the museum sector, so knowledge in these areas wasn’t a problem, it was mainly just finding the spare time to get on with those tasks.

However, when I agreed to become chair of trustees, I realised that I couldn’t possibly work full-time and take on every role in the organisation. The big issue for me was building management and so, in discussion with my trustees, we have set-up a sub-committee with a chair who deals with this aspect of our work and we also use volunteers to deliver aspects of the public programme.

I think the most important thing is to be up-front about what you do or don’t have the capacity to deliver as a volunteer, be clear and communicate what your role will entail, and work together to identify solutions.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering over and above a paid role?

I have always volunteered – it gives me satisfaction to use my skills in an environment outside work, meet people and learn something new.

I have learned that it is important to understand the organisation you are volunteering for, its governance arrangements, its ethics and culture – this may be by initially taking on a small role, which you can gradually increase as you become more confident that your values align.

It’s also important not to be badgered into taking on more than you have capacity to deliver – you may be bringing skills to the role, but it doesn’t mean that you have to do all of the related tasks, and there should be opportunities to develop those skills in your fellow volunteers.

Though it’s helpful to join an organisation which already has processes and procedures in place to support volunteers, particularly if you are new to volunteering, it’s not always necessary, as long as you are clear about what you are willing and not willing to do. It’s important that amongst the hard work you may give to an organsation as a volunteer, you also have some fun.

Sue is a museum development adviser with Museum Development North and an AMA mentor