The Objects Conservation team regularly have volunteers working alongside staff in the labs who carry out valuable work for Wiltshire museums and external clients. At the moment we have two volunteers with us, working three days per week.

Jo Launchbury is a student at Cardiff University and originally came to work with the Objects team on a work placement as part of her degree course. She has since come back as a volunteer until she returns to university.


Joe working on the seed fiddle

Jo has worked on a number of projects during her time with the Conservation Service, including repairing two ceramic goblets, cleaning and re-packing a pony harness from Market Lavington Museum and cleaning and repairing a seed fiddle from Mere Museum. She has also visited a number of Wiltshire museums with the conservators, taking readings to monitor the environment in stores and galleries. 
 
Amanda Wilkinson has just graduated from Cardiff University and is currently working with us for three days per week in order to gain work experience. Read on to find out more....

Amanda in the process of repairing the jigsaw
 

Amanda is currently working on stabilising and re-packing a baby’s gas mask from Purton Museum and repairing a Victorian jigsaw as part of a larger project being undertaken by the Conservation team for Tunbridge Wells Museum.

Volunteers play an important role in helping our conservators and contribute a huge amount to the work that we are able to carry out for Wiltshire’s Museums and other clients every year.