TOYNBEE HALL RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME 2008- 09

Trainee Archivist Opportunity

What does Toynbee Hall do?
Toynbee Hall produces practical innovative programmes for young people and families, adults, and older people, to meet the needs of local people, improve conditions and enable communities to fulfil their potential.  The organisation makes a difference by producing local programmes that have the power to become national solutions, with a constant and ongoing commitment to the development of social policy and networks for positive change.

We place volunteers at the heart of what we do, with an average of 450 volunteers from diverse backgrounds being involved each year.

What is the Residential Volunteer Programme at Toynbee Hall?
The Residential Volunteer Programme at Toynbee Hall provides a unique opportunity for a small community of 15 active volunteers to live on-site. As a Residential Volunteer you will be encouraged to work alongside our experienced staff and volunteers and become involved in our innovative social action programmes working with the poorest communities to improve conditions in the East End of London.

What is the Trainee Archivist Residential Volunteer role?

This year we have created an exciting new role for a candidate with a passion for heritage and archives. The role would be based in the Barnett Research Centre (BRC), which houses the library and archives at Toynbee Hall. The BRC acts as a resource for the current work of Toynbee Hall, as well as a valued repository for gallery and museum curators and social history researchers internationally.

A Residential Volunteer would play an important role in preserving and developing the important collection at the BRC. We would like an RV to have a particular focus on access to the collection; making the collection accessible and relevant to new groups and, in particular, encouraging people from the local community to access the collection with the aim of encouraging a sense of shared ownership of the history of the area.

What tasks would the Trainee Archivist RV take on?

The RV will play a part in shaping the course of their volunteer work. There is ample opportunity for an Archivist RV to develop their own project as well as to become more heavily involved with tasks that match their interests and skills.

 Example tasks:

• Sorting and cataloguing items in the collection
• Assisting with basic preservation tasks
• Supporting external researchers to access the collection
• Giving talks and organising presentations, displays and exhibitions
• Promoting access to the collection- this could be carried out in a number of different ways according to the RVs particular interest area for example, if an RV had a particular interest in working with young people they could carry out a series of school workshops based on material in the archives in partnership with the Young People and Families Team

What will I gain?

The Trainee Archivist role will give a candidate the opportunity to experience a range of different tasks and gain exposure to different areas of archival work. The RV role also represents a unique opportunity to gain experience of outreach in the heritage sector. The successful candidate will have access to a number of relevant training opportunities during their time at Toynbee Hall and will volunteer in a structured and supportive environment alongside experienced staff and volunteers.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to experience being part of a community of volunteers and will benefit from heavily subsidised accommodation in one of the most vibrant areas of central London.

What qualities are Toynbee Hall looking for?

This is an exciting role for a candidate looking to forge a career in heritage. It would especially suit an aspiring archivist, either someone on a post graduate course or someone looking to gain pre-course work experience.
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds with a wide variety of skills, experiences and ideas to take part in the programme. In particular, we are looking for individuals who are committed to giving us their time, who are happy to work on their own as well as part of a bigger team, who have a real interest in the voluntary sector and are not put off by its challenges.

You will need to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau security check as part of the application process.

When do you need me?

The Residential Volunteer year officially runs from September 2008 to August 2009, although you may be offered the opportunity to move in earlier. You will need to be available for a number of daytime and evening induction events in September.

We are looking for candidates who are willing to commit to volunteer for an average of between 6 and 12 hours per week. In order to facilitate mutual learning and development we would ask that candidates are available for at least part of that time during office hours (Monday- Friday 9-5pm).

This means that we are generally seeking to attract those who are not in full time work, although there might be exceptions depending on your interests.

Where does all this take place?

You will live at Toynbee Hall which is based at 28 Commercial Street, E1 (nearest tube station Aldgate East), close to Spitalfields, Brick Lane, Old Street, Hoxton, Shoreditch and the City.

What would Toynbee Hall expect of me?

You would be expected to take an active role in the Residential Volunteer Programme by attending induction and training sessions, attending meetings, taking part in group activities and reporting to the Volunteer Manager.  As an individual volunteer you will be expected to complete an average of eight hours per week voluntary work with Toynbee Hall. You will need to attend occasional one-to-one progress meetings with the Volunteer Manager, report your hours and activities to the Volunteer Manager at the end of each month and to participate in the Residential Volunteer Mentoring programme where you will be attached to a member of staff for additional support.

You would also need to meet the expectations of your tenancy agreement.

What can you expect from Toynbee Hall?

You will live in spacious and affordable accommodation with shared kitchen, bathroom and lounge, access to laundry (£3 per wash/dry) and internet facilities with an Estates Duty Manager available 24 hours a day in case of emergency.  Toynbee Hall asks for a heavily subsidised rent which is in the region of £200 per month inclusive of bills and breakfast. You will be liable for Council Tax in addition to your rent (around £20 per month).

You will receive relevant introduction and training sessions as part of your induction.  For the duration of your time at Toynbee Hall you will also have access to other training opportunities either as part of the Toynbee Hall Core Curriculum Staff Training Programme, through other local volunteer agencies or arranged in relation to a specific volunteer role.

You will be supported by Toynbee Hall's Librarian and Archivist who will guide and supervise you in your role. You will receive regular support from the Volunteer Manager through one-to-one progress meetings, monthly team meetings and a regular e-bulletin. You will be invited to take part in a mentoring scheme where you will be matched to a member of staff, existing volunteer or trustee who will support you in your development as a volunteer.
You will have access to Toynbee Hall extranet and e-mail facilities for sharing information on volunteer-led projects and meetings.

Interested?

More information about the RV Programme and how to apply, including application forms, can be found at www.toynbeehall.org.uk/residentialvolunteer

The deadline for receipt of application is the 19th of June. Informal interviews are expected the take place on the week starting 30th of June.

For an informal chat about the RV Programme please contact Jennie Smith, Volunteering Programmes Manager on 0207 392 2962 or via e-mail at jennie.smith@toynbeehall.org.uk