Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery is celebrating this year’s Volunteers’ Week (1–7 June 2026) with the launch of a brand-new Summer Sessions volunteering initiative.
The new volunteering programme will run every Wednesday during the school summer holidays and is designed to welcome more people into the museum’s volunteering community and showcase the vital role volunteers play in its success.
The volunteering programme will make volunteering more accessible and flexible for those who are new to volunteering or unsure about committing long-term. Potential volunteers can drop in on any Wednesday throughout the summer school holidays from Wednesday 22 July to 26 August between 10am and 1pm to join a session led by the museum’s volunteering and engagement team.
The programme is designed to be informal, friendly and easy to join. There is no need to book or commit to staying for the full time – participants can simply drop in and give it a go. During each session, volunteers will help deliver hands-on activities with visitors in the museum galleries.
Speaking about the new initiative, Alex Wagner, Shropshire Council’s deputy Leader, said:
“I’m delighted that Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery is launching its new Summer Sessions volunteering programme as part of Volunteers’ Week. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting our museums, enriching the visitor experience and helping more people to connect with our shared heritage.
“This initiative provides a fantastic opportunity for people to build confidence, develop skills and become part of a welcoming and inclusive community. The team is looking forward to welcoming new volunteers and encouraging more people to discover what the museums have to offer.”
Volunteers at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery are a highly valuable part of the team and support visitors to explore the galleries, offer a warm welcome, guide and share knowledge, and work behind the scenes caring for collections, researching and cataloguing items.
This new initiative provides a relaxed way to build confidence in a supportive environment, develop practical and transferable skills, meet and socialise with people who share similar interests, and enjoy being part of a welcoming and creative community.
The museum is proud of its diverse and inclusive volunteer team. Volunteers come from all walks of life and of all ages, including dedicated opportunities for young people to get involved. Some volunteers are neurodivergent or have additional needs, and the museum works to ensure they feel supported, comfortable and able to take part in ways that suit them. The museum is committed to being a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for everyone, whatever their background or circumstances.
Anyone interested in finding out more should email [email protected] or say hello to the Volunteering Team at the Community Resources’ Volunteers’ Week event in Shrewsbury Square on Saturday 6 June.
