The Museum Volunteering Crisis: A Report

[@AgenoriaModelTrains]

I used to be a volunteer on the Severn Valley Railway from the ages of 14 to 21. From the ages of 10-14 I was part of the Junior Volunteer Club, we would be supervised by elders into groups and perform tasks around the railway from cleaning up rubbish to cleaning locos, it was great fun. They even organised some visits to other railways around the country too. I got to go to behind parts of the railway that no other member of the public could go which was great. I think many young volunteers stop when they go off to university and don't come back when finishing. This was the case with me after I finished uni, I had to prioritise paid shifts in my regular job over weekend volunteering because I needed the money. In the end I decided to knock it on the head because juggling volunteering alongside my main job would be too challenging. Some of the guys I was in the Junior Volunteer Club with are still volunteering on the SVR but I guess many others would have binned off volunteering due to family and career priorities.

[@bruvaasmodai5250]

I'll throw my hat in as another volunteer who was involved from a young age right up till university. I didn't go back because the heritage railway I volunteered at was crumbling before me. There were only 3 types of staff left: • Retirees who were comfortable carrying on as they were, and who could dedicate time as they pleased. • Young people without commitments or in a unique position to volunteer their time. Oftentimes this was people who were simply happy to be near trains, rather than competent staff. • Middle aged paid staff. The majority of whom were bellends. Many left to pursue careers on the 'big' railway.

[@theessextrainfan5292]

I used to volunteer as a station porter at my local heritage railway and for me (aged 23) sadly it's financial pressure,work and life that gets in the way. Until work life gets less busy and finances improve i unfortunately can't go back to volunteering even though I did enjoy it.

[@petermartin3818]

It has been identified by many - not only in the heritage movement - that a cultural and demographic change is taking place. The advent of digital technology has displaced and abandoned the traditional 'hands on' creative skills and industries that once supported the foundations of this country, where it has to be said that the education system of today doesn't teach anyone how to bang a nail into a piece of wood - let alone mend a tram, steam engine or make or mend anything. The technical colleges have changed to acadamies where you can gain an NVQ in Origami or Social History which gets you a Barista's job in a coffee shop or stack shelves in supermarkets, or go into a paper driven economy which only lasts as long as the money is there to support it. Whilst it is admirable there are younger folks who ding the bell or waggle the handles, I bet its the older fraternity who come out with a hammer or screwdriver and mend it when it goes phut or doesn't work! Oh, that includes me!

[@MervynPartin]

I am now 76, retired, and mobility restricted, but in my younger years, even whilst in full time employment, I used to volunteer at the Caerphilly Railway Society spending many weekends at the site, either doing restoration work or driving the steam locos, having been passed by a BR traction Inspector due to our line extending over BR property. In due course, my career took me to Didcot, so as I was also a member of the GWS, I was able to volunteer at the Railway Centre. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience at both locations, making friends and meeting the public. For some time now, I have not lived close enough to any centre where I could volunteer my skills, but my advice to anyone who wishes to broaden their experience, make new friends, learn new skills, and do something worthwhile is to volunteer at an organisation nearby.. If I had lived anywhere near Crich, I would have jumped at the chance to volunteer there as I love trams (I used to have a 7 1/4" gauge tram in my garden!)

[@bruceknights8330]

You have to add rungs at the bottom of the ladder, as well as ensuring that volunteering is fun. I'm a bellringer and ringing lost 2 plus generations through basic complacency. It used to recruit through church attendance and related organisations, all of which has been in decline. As ringers progressed up the skills ladder, they largely forgot about recruiting at the bottom end and towers started to go silent, as elderly ringers died off. Covid just accelerated things. Fortunately there are pockets of hope. My own tower is vibrant, largely due to a few people stepping up to qualify as teachers in a fairly recent national scheme. This means that training aids and sylabus materials are available and learners are given a great deal of support and encouragement. The other critical part of our success is making things fun and inclusive. We practice for 90 minutes, then decamp to the next door pub to relive the battles and swap stories. We run bell classes at the local school and volunteer for every type of community event. This not only raises our profile but cements our group's sense of identify, as well as providing a useful shop window for recruits. It's hard work and not going to get easier but it can be done and is very rewarding.

[@TheRedCassette02]

This is a great and interesting perspective

[@patfros]

The national museum of Scotland in Edinburgh..populary known as the Chambers St. museum....has just ditched all of its very experienced and knowledgeable volunteers! They pretty much organised themselves and provided very popular free guided tours which were usually fully booked. Just nuts!

[@harryb8945]

Making volunteers pay for anything is ridiculous, and is why i left my first museum volunteer position. Unfortunately, many of these organisations simple dont respect the commitment given by people from younger generations.

[@kingy002]

Some of them are on the bones of their arse and can't afford to pay for uniforms. It is complicated, not simple, Harry.

[@Greenline718]

I have been a volunteer, not at Crich, for 23 years. When I started it was fun, working in a friendly environment. Over the years this has evolved into a bureaucratic culture of mistrust.

[@atraindriver]

I sometimes get the feeling that the problem in too many museums and suchlike organisations today is that they have hired managers from the corporate world who just want to get the "third sector" on their CVs. You can look at certain organisations which are having serious trouble retaining volunteers, look at the names of the current senior management and immediately see what the problem is: management by people who don't understand that they simply can't treat volunteers the same way that they did paid staff in their previous organisations. I was going to say "with the same contempt" but that's probably a bit too harsh. On the other side of the coin, the heritage sector has been forced to professionalise over the past couple of decades. Legislation changes, insurance requirements and so on mean that where things could be done in the past by bumbling along, formal policies are now required. That has, as you say, introduced a bureaucratic culture that the sector (and especially its volunteer workforce) isn't really used to and it's quite clear that in some organisations the combination of external managers and the new style of working has become toxic.

[@JSmith19858]

I would imagine a large part of it is the same issue my local model engineering club has. They acted like bellends towards new people who turned up and now the club is as good as dead. If no one is joining or staying it's because they're put off doing so

[@atraindriver]

I'll second that. I know of a transport museum which is constantly whining in its magazine about being short of volunteers but where any new volunteer who is under the age of 50 and/or can't commit to attending one particular evening every week gets hounded out. Some societies seem to think their current active members are immortal, but they're going to have a hell of a shock in 20 years or so when the last few left look around and wonder where everyone's gone. It's sad.

[@Daytona2]

Primarily, recruitment is about the older generation, not the younger. The Personal Pension rules permit retirement at age 55 (it used to be 50) The demographic timebomb is upon us, meaning that there are an abnormally high number of people aged 50+ Many of these organisations are overly hierarchical, which attracts status conscious narcissists, who poison the environment, being more interested in personal status and power than the best interests of the organisation.

[@mickymondo7463]

I have very fond memories of Crich Tramway museum, August Bank Holiday weekends through the early 80's were fantastic, I would spend the entire three days there, as my father was a member of the New Orleans Parade band that would play on the top of Paisley 68, up and down, or in the tramshed if it was trying to rain, before dumping the instruments in the little shed near the gate, and running down the hill to the Cliff Inn for a couple of pints of Hardy Hansons and a sandwich, or Scampi and Chips in a basket, before heading back up for the next stint, by the last session the walk back up the hill was starting to become a bit of a challenge for one or two. The August transport extravaganzas were always fantastic, all manner of vintage vehicles, I remember one year various WW2 aircraft flew over including a B17 Flying Fortress and a Messerschmit BF109 amongst the flight

[@peteraustin3918]

It's not just museums facing a volunteering crisis. Organisations in many sectors are struggling. Don't have the answers myself but perhaps some roles need to be more orientated towards a paid position, given the time needed and responsibility carried. Volunteers are not super humans, and certainly administration is far more complex now than it ever has been.

[@AnthonyRailwayBVideos]

Lovely video, and an especially important topic so thanks for making this. As kind of alluded to at one point in this video, working people’s worsening financial positions must have a big role to play in this. Inflation taken in account, we generally work more for less money today, often with worse job security, and people have to retire later often with less money, than offered in the past. As seemingly radical as it may be, I can imagine if government ever implemented a universal basic income, one of the greatest side beneficiaries would be the heritage sector with its need for volunteers, as we would have much more time on our hands. It all boils down to money and cost of living.

[@wirksworthsrailway]

This video misses a big point: the demographic dip in volunteers from about 35 to 55. These people are in family and career building modes and, if it possible to get some, they fill a big gap between the young and inexperienced and the more elderly volunteers.

[@TheRedCassette02]

While I don't refer to that directly, it can be infered from the case studies I used. Had someone referred to that in one of my interviews I would have definitely put that in

[@wirksworthsrailway]

@@TheRedCassette02 The problem you have is that it’s people in that age range that are the most dynamic in developing organisations. It’s fine talking about an absence of grass roots volunteers but you need people with a strategic and managerial view too.

[@Satters]

I used to volunteer for a heritage railway, i stopped mainly because various factors made it less and less enjoyable and more frustrating

[@TechnoJonny]

I also used to volunteer at a heritage railway, I stopped mainly because I lost interest, one of the many problems of keeping younger volunteers involved, is the attitude of some of the older volunteers, I know that if went to another railway, I would be expected start off cleaning things, I also know that if i wanted to get involved with the operations side of things, It would 10+ years before there was any possible chance of getting passed out, as @wirksworthrailway pointed out, I am in the 35-55 age group, I also know that there are politics & different factions in these organizations & for me , that puts me off getting involved again, sorry to sound like a Moaning Minnie.

[@KerbalRocketry]

I wish I had the time and money to volunteer. A lot of orgs need to think about the costs that volunteering takes, just paying expenses for travel would change the equation entirely. As it stands culturally it's those who can afford and who have the time, and the shortage means that horrid people are allowed to stay pushing others away.

[@kateb2643]

I would absolutely love to work (as in get paid) at a museum. I'd gladly do it for minimum wage, but the way things are these days, volunteering is completely unrealistic. I live in Canada and there's a pioneer village that would be an absolute dream to help out at, but it's in one of the most expensive regions of the country and they only take volunteers.

[@attercliffecentral3802]

I live in Derbyshire and have been to Crich Tramway Museum it's a bit remote. Ok if you have a car if you use public transport it's very poor so that can limit who can get there. With living costs been high young people will need to work more to cover costs that will limit free time which if they have family will want to spend it with their children. I don't see a solution to this problem.and sadly these attractions will close.

[@v6200man]

I have no car and have nit visited for two years.I used to be able to get a bus from Belper but now living in Derby, a taxi is a bit expensive.

[@attercliffecentral3802]

I think Trent bus company used to run a bus to Crich might still do. But local bus services are not that great where I live its very up and down Taxi fares are sky rocketing too.

[@TheRedCassette02]

Certainly getting to the museum was a major reason I couldn't volunteer until I was able to drive a car

[@harrysimmonds1842]

I can't drive (too young!) and often volunteer at the museum. I walk up from Whatstandwell station, which is a long and challenging yet very enjoyable walk!

[@colinvespa4709]

Volunteer recruitment is fine, it's retention that's where your problem lies, politics and cliques sidelining members with no hope of progression or respect, volunteers leave and don't come back.

[@highpath4776]

one thing I note is the lack generally of the ethnic minorities split in volunteering - is nearly non-existant. Not even say in the upkeep of the gardens, painting of structures never mind engineering and similar operations. Its a pity , many had experience in Birmingham of engineering working in the auto industry plants for example. I dont think its discrimination - and there are less visitors too from similar backgrounds (maybe they spend more time in their own cultural activities and religious/charity work) , but I have tried to make them welcome when they do visit.

[@TheDrakeagle]

Great informative piece! sadly it all boils down to the same issue as alot of things, money. those who might be interested in giving things a go just cannot afford to spend the time volunteering instead of work and even on days off it becomes a large commitment that is usually unfeasible due to having to work so much nowadays just to pay the bills. My workplace does have a scheme that allows for extra time off for volunteering work but its only a maximum of 3 days a year and has to be weekday which just doesnt work for quite alot of opportunities, nevermind the fact alot of opportunities also need to spend money on them (eg the outfits you mentioned) in order to take part. I wish I had a solution but until people are able to make a living without having to expend all their time and energy on work the problem is only going to get worse.

[@joshuahill6153]

Picture this, I'm 16 I have school and I have occasional spare time. I can for free sit and play video games or invest in transport to a museum to volunteer at, the uniform, my time, energy into a museum where (from my experiences) its an old mens club where nothing gets passed down and its all my knowledge will die with me kind of deal. Yeah nah, I quit after 7 years.

[@samswift1718]

Very well put together video!

[@TheRedCassette02]

Thank you!

[@Eddy2730]

It looks like someone forgot to mention that disabled people sometimes face discrimination. Take me for example: I'm Autistic and I also have Epilepsy. For the last two decades, I have been volunteering on different heritage railways across Britain. I may be unable to read between the lines (metaphorically speaking) but I have volunteered in some places where I had been discriminated. For example, it wasn't long after the pandemic when I expressed an interest in volunteering at the Severn Valley Railway. But their volunteer co-ordinator turned me down in a cold and unnecessarily formal way after disclosing both my Autism and Epilepsy. When I told my Mum about this, she complained to the SVR and received an apology. Also, I'm not even 40 years old yet and so I see no reason why anyone between the ages of 21 and 60 (for example) can't be volunteers instead of just anyone below the age of 21 or above the age of 60, especially when there is no shortage of unemployed people. I've been unemployed for many years but I've managed to kill time in more ways than one thus putting my benefits to a productive use (why not anyone else?)

[@jackx4311]

@Eddy2730 - "I see no reason why anyone between the ages of 21 and 60 (for example) can't be volunteers instead of just anyone below the age of 21 or above the age of 60" Who told you that volunteers can ONLY be under 21 or over the age of 60?

[@TheRedCassette02]

Non of my case studies raised this particular perspective, had they then I would have included it. Perspectives have to be ascribed in news pieces like these and we did speak to people who had disabilities (they appear in the video) but they didn't raise that as a barrier. This is certainly an interesting perspective that I will cover when I revisit this story next time. You should also definitely raise this issue with relevant authorities. In terms of age, I focused on the age ranges that have the most spare time. Nothing in the report says people between 21 and 60 can't volunteer it just makes sense that fewer of them do as they have careers etc. I can't volunteer anyway near as much as I did last year because now I'm in the process of building my career which takes up lots of time and focus.

[@lizlawrence4553]

Some roles within the heritage sector, that have a safety critical factor, Some disabilities may be a problem. That is real life I'm afraid. But disability if viewed with a common sense attitude, could be worked around. However a person with certain disabilities, has to develop a realistic attitude, as to what their abilities will allow them to do. That is real life, the sooner you accept it. The easier it is to work with.

[@jakedovey7488]

I also have autism and have frequently faced discrimination for being disabled when applying for voluntary and paid positions, I even got fired once because my supervisor retired and the new one didn't like the fact that he had a autistic volunteer so he fired me being disabled, I now volunteer with a different fantastic organisation that couldn't be more supportive and literally jumped at the chance to recruit me because they recognised that I could bring skills and experience that regular volunteers could never have without years of experience of working with autism and disabilities!

[@AgenoriaModelTrains]

I am on the autistic spectrum too. I used to volunteer on the SVR during my teens and early 20s. Before that I was part of the Junior Club for kids aged 10-14. When they're approaching 14, they are put forward for an invite to attend a volunteer induction day from where they will learn about the life of a volunteer. Because I was basically passed on from the junior volunteers to senior volunteers I did not face much opposition from volunteer recruitment because of my autism. I did platform duties at one of the stations on the line, a role where health and safety was paramount. I did find it challenging at times but made sure that I wasn't alone in seeing off a train. There were a few incidents where another fellow staff member who was also autistic like me made a mistake and the other volunteers scolded and ganged up on him, as did happen to me when I made some mistakes. I understand the dressing down from supervisors and team leaders because of health and safety interests but I think people who love giving dressing downs over ANYTHING will do it regardless. I did get on well with most of the staff but did find some of the older ones to be quite patronising towards me because of my age. This was certainly something I experienced more when I decided to work in the railway workshops after I had enough of platform supervision. I did not appreciate being treated like this and was something I considered as a reason to stop volunteering along with working commitments. I enjoyed my time with the SVR but may consider giving volunteering another chance when I am getting on a bit.

[@TheSleepychicken]

As a museum volunteer the Government is taking away my fuel allowance. I have to pay to get to my museum. I have to pay for my clothes The government is charging more to run my car. I am affected by a ULEZ. It's all putting off Volunteers.

[@thesmleys5355]

great video sam

[@TheRedCassette02]

Thank you!

[@artvanwag3257]

I live local and visit here often and didn't even know about this

[@jamesbeckwith3639]

I can't believe that volunteers have to pay for their own uniforms... They give their time for free and pay for their own travel as well, surely at least the uniform should be free... It must be a kick in the teeth when they then actually pay someone to actually come and do the work they are doing for free. How many actual paid personnel are at these places and what are their wages.

[@lizlawrence4553]

Most heritage outfits, especially smaller outfits could not afford to supply all your uniform at no cost to the individual. Just preserving the heritage costs. You have to live in the real world. However these organisations would have the contacts for you to acquire the kit. The rule here is money does not grow on trees.

[@jackx4311]

For one thing, the cost; having paid for my own uniform, the mind boggles at what the cost would be to the railway if they had to provide uniforms for the hundreds of volunteers which many preserved lines have. And what would happen if somebody was given the uniform, and a few months later decided that volunteering was not for them? And, please bear in mind, if you think it unfair that volunteers have to pay for their own uniform, well . . . nobody's forcing you to join, are they? Paid staff; it varies. Some railways have a very small number of paid staff who cover key roles, such as routine maintenance on engines and rolling stock - and others, just as important, who handle telephone and internet enquiries and do the accounts and book-keeping. Other railways are entirely volunteer run.

[@TheRedCassette02]

Crich has a uniform officer and uniforms arent mega expensive. I'm not sure what the arrangements are in other places

[@lizlawrence4553]

Having been both the paid professional, and volunter in heritage. Organisations will provide you with a contact/supplier of kit you require. Some items they will supply, as is required by law. If someone wants to volunteer, and they are asked to buy a boiler suit, steel toed boots. They refuse, these are cheap items, then they are not going to be a great volunter with that attitude.

[@sem-zs3nl]

​@lizlawrence4553 It's very easy to describe something as 'cheap' when you're able to afford it and know where to source it from. £35-£50 to source those overalls and those boots isn't something that every family can afford. Volunteering, certainly at some places, has become largely the preserve of the middle classes as a result.

[@pamthevan7340]

I'm able to volunteer. I have a large, desirable skill set including HGV, PSV, FLT, IOSH, ADR, Telehandler, First Aid, photography and editing, video production . . . and for as long as top dogs are taking hundreds of thousands of pounds a year (not suggesting those in the video are - but try looking up National Trust for example) I'm not going to get involved.

[@LesD9]

One word not mentioned in this video is 'safeguarding'. The Charities Commission requires all volunteers in charity organisations to be trained and proficient in the skill of 'safeguarding' of vulnerable adults and young people. Each organisation must have a formal policy and process in place should it wish to participate in funding opportunities. Having volunteered at a transport museum for six or seven years, primarily conducting tours of young people, I was made aware of such a policy and found I would be expected to look for 'harm' being suffered by visitors, even that which may have occured elswhere than at the museum. I am not a medical person, nor am I a social worker and I did not consider i had the skills for this responsibility. Never mind that I do not believe it is the responsibilty of museum volunteers to undertake such activity. I wonder how many other vounteers have decided not to engage with this intrusive activity. Although, like our museum did for six years, I suppose many places just file it under 'policies and procedures' and pay it lip service.

[@TheRedCassette02]

Having spent a lot of time working with children and young people in my other areas of work I cannot see a single downside to having more people looking out for and aware of exploitation

[@atraindriver]

@@TheRedCassette02 As a former volunteer at a museum myself I agree with you albeit with the caveat that suitable training *must* be offered, and it must be taken seriously by the organisation rather than just lip service being paid. My experience was that I'd just be thrown a management policy, instructed to comply with it and be expected to go train myself, with the implication that if I got it wrong I would be sold straight down the river. That's not how you retain volunteers - and if someone says that they don't have the skills then training should be offered if wanted or if not their wish to withdraw respected; me, I just got blamed for 'causing problems for management' by no longer volunteering.

[@bexxy629]

As a queer young person as well environments like this can be difficult, I find some (not all) older people can be quite backwards in their views and it makes a hard to integrate and fit in with the team. Younger queer people then don't want to spent their free time in these enviroments. I find other people like me tend to gravitate to places with a younger cohort of volunteers or places to tend to be more progressive politically.