Tamsin Russell

Tamsin is our workforce development lead here at the Museums Association. Read on to see what she has to say about the power of volunteering.

Why do you volunteer?

I volunteer for a variety of reasons, and it is on that basis that I sought out different volunteering opportunities.

I sit on the Recognition Committee. This was important to me as it relates to me still being active in the Scottish sector and focused specifically on collections, both things I stepped away from when I joined the Museums Association.

I have sat on the Accreditation Panel since 2018 and my reason for volunteering here was to be involved in a clear standard for the sector. It appeals to my interest in continuous improvement, as well as developing my skills and extending my network.

I am a member of GLAM Cares, the network for those working in a community space. My involvement revolves around my values, expertise and commitment to workforce wellbeing – I wanted to give something back.

Finally, I have been a member of the Heritage Volunteering Group since 2016, and most recently I was elected to the Executive Board. This was an area of practice with which I was least familiar, so this particular role was very much focused around my own professional development. 

What are the benefits of volunteering for you?

For me, there have been many benefits: new connections (including new friends), broader thinking, having a greater voice in the sector, maintenance of skills (deskilling), as well as skills development and more opportunities to implement my ideas and make an impact.

The hours I allocate to volunteering across the wider sector are hours well spent.

What has made it possible for you?

I looked at different patterns of volunteering. For example: are there peaks and troughs to the workload? Is there a weekly commitment or a one-time event to support?

The work for the Recognition Committee and Accreditation Panel is predictable, with meetings scheduled in advance and with the latter scheduled based on capacity.

My volunteering for Heritage Volunteering Group is more frequent, as I co-lead the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Group, as well as ‘co-hosting’ associated EDI surgeries.

GLAM Cares is both my newest adventure in volunteering and the ‘youngest’ organisation I volunteer with, so I am finding my feet in terms of commitment and contribution.

What has really made it possible has been my flexible working hours. At the Museums Association I usually work between 7.00am and 3.00pm, which enables me to be available for others during traditional working hours. We also have a volunteering policy, which means I can take up to three paid days per year to support my volunteering.

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

Be clear about the reasons you want to volunteer and seek out those opportunities. As part of this, identify the extent to which your values align with the work or the organisation.

Identify the time you have available – minimum and maximum. Remember you can have sequential volunteering rather than lots of volunteering in parallel.

Accept that volunteering does not always look as it does on the tin – so if it’s not working for you then have a conversation to address it or take a step back. I review all my volunteering commitments annually to ensure that I’m best placed to volunteer and I’m still delivering to my needs and the organisation’s.