Collection Care and Conservation Volunteer: Winter Deep Clean
Collection Care and Conservation Volunteer: Winter Deep Clean
Between November and March, 575 Wandsworth Road is closed to the public so we can carry out a deep clean and condition check of the collection.
We are looking for volunteers to help with this on Tuesdays or Thursdays over the winter.
What You'll Do:
- Participate in collections care training; including object handling, the agents of deterioration, and how to clean different materials.
- Assist in deep cleaning all of the spaces on the visitor route, from ceiling to floor.
- Photograph and clean objects in the house and update inventory databases.
- Help with monitoring environmental conditions and inspecting for pests.
- You are important in making sure things run smoothly and safely – this includes getting to know our health and safety and evacuation procedures.
There will also be opportunities to produce content for our Instagram account, including making reels and writing content about your experiences or interesting stories you have uncovered.
Why You'll Love It:
This is a unique opportunity to work behind-the-scenes at the extraordinary 575 Wandsworth Road, which has been filled with intricate fretwork decoration by owner Khadambi Asalache, a Kenyan-born writer and poet.
What You'll Learn:
Collections & House Officer, Ruth, will provide training to the successful volunteers in:
- Collections management - including cataloguing and inventories
- Collections care - including object handling, temperature and humidity management, and checking and monitoring pests
- Conservation cleaning - including what equipment and techniques are needed to care for historic interiors
What We're Looking For:
Somebody who...
- Is interested in collections and the stories we can tell through them
- Is interested in learning how to safely handle and care for collections and interiors
- Will enjoy learning new skills and being part of a team
- Has steady hands, an eye for detail and a head for heights!
- Is happy to learn how to use our documentation systems
- Is happy to work in the cooler conditions often found inside historic buildings
