Our volunteers play a vital role in helping us share stories of conflict and its impact on people’s lives. Volunteering with IWM is a fantastic way for students to build confidence and develop their communication skills. It can also be a valuable stepping stone for those exploring careers in museums, heritage, education or public-facing roles more broadly.
As a Discover volunteer you’ll be there at the very start of the visitor journey, helping people feel welcome, valued and excited about everything the Imperial War Museum has to offer. You’ll use your own interests to make tailored recommendations, help visitors find their way around, and ensure they get the most from their visit, while building your confidence, developing your engagement skills and learning more about our fascinating history — there really is something for everyone.
In addition to developing new skills and making a meaningful contribution to our community, our volunteers enjoy a range of exclusive benefits. These include free entry to all IWM sites, as well as complimentary access to many other museums and galleries across the UK through our reciprocal partnerships. Volunteers are also invited to special events throughout the year, from behind the scenes talks and previews to social gatherings with fellow volunteers and staff.
Volunteering at IWM is perfect for people who enjoy meeting others and sharing their enthusiasm. You’ll provide a warm welcome, help visitors engage with our collections and respond to visitor queries. You don’t need to be a history expert, just someone who enjoys getting involved and supporting our mission to tell the stories that matter.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is aged 18 or over,
- Enjoys new experiences and helping others
- Is happy to work as part of a team.
- Who can commit to ideally one morning or afternoon per week.
1. Complete an Application Form here: Charity Volunteering - Volunteer with IWM | Imperial War Museums
Here you can select the site you'd would like to volunteer at, fill out an application and set up your MyImpact page. This is our volunteer recruitment portal. The portal allows us to communicate with you and enables you to book on to training sessions and choose your shifts.
2. Come along to a Selection Session:
We will invite you to a session where you can find out more about the role and whether its right for you. We will then begin our recruitment check process. These are the upcoming Selection Sessions:
24/03/26 at IWM London
26/03/26 at HMS Belfast
28/03/26 at Churchill War Rooms
A session is intended to be very relaxed, and to keep you fuelled we’ll provide tea, coffee, and biscuits. Our aim is to keep the atmosphere informal and welcoming, giving you the chance to ask questions and get a real sense of what volunteering here is like.
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