The first week of June is national Volunteers’ Week, a celebration of volunteers across the UK and the important work they do.
Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting local community assets - including this Museum. Whether they’re welcoming you as you arrive, running your craft session or working behind the scenes, volunteers make your visit to the Museum what it is. We at Horsham Museum would like to say a massive thank you to all those who support us and the local community through volunteering!
To mark this year's Volunteers’ Week, we have asked our volunteers to share their thoughts on their work at the Museum and why they volunteer. You can read some of their responses below.
Adrian - Garden Team
I have been volunteering for 20 years and I count myself fortunate to be able to continue undertaking voluntary work. It started when I retired from a very busy and demanding day job and joined the volunteers at the Forestry Commission’s Westonbirt Arboretum. When that ended I went across to Pershore College.
After my wife and I moved to Horsham, my daughter spotted an advert for volunteers for the Museum garden and here I am! I have always been an outdoor type, interested in nature, wildlife and the sheer thrill of nurturing, cultivating and growing plants. For me it has been important post-day job to keep physically and socially active, to keep learning, developing and up to date and to have interests outside the day to day routine of my own house, garden and family. Volunteering with the great team we have here in the Museum and Garden ticks those boxes and the knowledge that I am making a contribution to the Museum, to Horsham and to our visitor’s enjoyment is a bonus that makes it all worthwhile.
Minji - Family Activities
I moved to Horsham from London four years ago. My full-time work involves helping people learn languages online. At the same time, I was looking for ways to connect more deeply with the Horsham community and learn about its history — I’m a bit of a history nerd! Volunteering at the Museum has been the perfect opportunity for me. Plus I love the museum garden!
What I enjoy most about volunteering is seeing how it brings together Horsham’s past and future. The craft activities use heritage as inspiration while still allowing each child to personalise their work in their own unique way. For me, the greatest enjoyment comes from seeing history, creativity, and art come together — and watching children discover the Museum.
Natalie - Memory Box Team
I applied to volunteer because I wanted to be at the Museum in one way or another… I was always popping in as a kid with bits of clay pipe I’d found in the back garden.
Luckily for me I was given a position in the Memory Box Department, I started the day my predecessor retired.
I love history and find great pleasure in this department. It’s a privilege to be involved in a service that brings memories, smiles, laughter & more importantly conversations to those who enjoy it. Charities, Care Homes, Schools & Clubs: memories are so important to us all.
Diane - Welcome Desk
I have been a volunteer at Horsham Museum since we re-opened after Covid. Having been a regular visitor for nearly sixty years, it was a delight to discover that I could be a volunteer “Welcomer”.
I enjoy meeting and greeting the visitors, some of whom are visiting for the first time, perhaps from overseas or other parts of the UK. Many visitors are local and lots of them are children.
I love having conversations with them about the museum, or about Horsham, sometimes advising about other local places to visit. I hope to be the friendly face, welcoming them in!
Jean – Welcome Desk
I recently started volunteering at the museum and all I would like to say is how much I'm enjoying the experience.
The museum is interesting, the visitors are impressed with everything they've seen and are very happy to let us know how much. For me that's still learning on the job it's a great place to be a part of their enjoyment.
Steve - Social Media
Volunteering at the Museum has been a very important part of my retirement.
Once I stopped working, I quickly realised I missed the camaraderie of an office environment. Helping out at the Museum means I meet people of all ages, plus I can also contribute in a small way to preserving Horsham's rich heritage.
Volunteering allows me to use the skills I acquired over many years in the workplace, but in a much more relaxed setting!
I believe retirement is just an opportunity to try something completely different and the wide range of volunteering opportunities available means there's something for everyone.
If volunteering at Horsham Museum is something which interests you, please keep an eye out for our listings on Horsham's Volunteering Website .
You can view and apply to any volunteering oppurtunities we have on the Volunteering Website, including a current vacancy for Museum Family Activity volunteers.
Published: 20 May 2026