Regular Help

We are looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to support our amazing Exhibitions and Displays team.

Our current Object in Focus is an oil painting that has just returned from loan to the Musee l’armee in Paris. It shows King Louis XIII of France and the goddess Victory. Louis is wearing a magnificent, gilded armour and sitting on top of a pile of weapons and armour. There is also a fantastically decorated wheellock pistol in the case – a 3D representation of the 2D items in the painting.

The case is accompanied by an interpretation kiosk which gives visitors the ability to zoom in on the painting, select hotspots which then give more information about the details, hear an audio description (particularly helpful for visitors with visual impairments) and hear the curator talk in detail about the painting and the artists.

As a Volunteer you will be undertaking valuable feedback and evaluation from our visitors after they have seen the display. You also may additionally offer information about the site and exhibitions, along with helping visitors get the most from their visit.

The role will include tasks such as

• Observing general interactions with the display
• Noting average dwell times if possible
• Noting how often people interact with the screen
• If at all possible, asking a selection of visitors a short set of questions and noting their responses
• If you feel confident, pointing out the display and helping people interact with it.

This is a brilliant opportunity for those who are interested in history, enjoy meeting and chatting with people and want to help support the Royal Armouries to share fascinating stories and objects.

START DATE: June 2026 

TRAINING: 4 June from 10am-12pm

Training is mandatory for all new volunteers. 

SHIFT TIMES: ALL DAY (10am - 3pm) with an hour for lunch. The role can be broken into half days.

LOCATION: Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds 

Places are limited so not all applicants will be successful. We are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

An induction session and site tour will be held on 4 June 2026. This role requires attendance at the induction session.  This challenge requires a minimum of three full volunteering days commitment and attendance at the training session.  

Volunteers must be 18 or older for this challenge

What's involved?

Evaluation 

Evaluating our exhibitions and displays is really important to us. This role will include observing visitors and their interaction with the Object in Focus display. It will also include approaching visitors to ask a short set of questions. Training will be provided for this.

Signposting 

Helping to signpost visitors to other parts of the Museum such as the café, toilets, galleries and shop along with answering general site questions. 

This role will require you to be on your feet in the galleries, although adjustments can be made.  

Why get involved?

• Help to collect valuable feedback which can influence the way we approach our future displays.
• Help us provide an engaging and meaningful experience for our visitors. 
• Meet the teams, make new friends and get to experience our work from a unique perspective.
• Learn new skills and knowledge that could be applied to a future career.

How to get involved?

Step 1) Accept the challenge.

Step 2) Attend the advertised induction day, meet the team, ask any questions and have a tour around the site.

Step 3) Have a great time with us and enjoy your volunteering experience!!

If you haven't volunteered on site with us before we will ask you to bring along some photo ID - such as a passport - and the contact details of one reference

We would recommend viewing the Volunteers' Handbook/Manual for further information, before accepting the challenge here:   

Volunteers must be 18 or older for this challenge