In late 2010, I was made redundant after 14 years in the retail sector.
Amid the chaos at the time, I saw an advert for the volunteer programme at Wrexham County Borough Museum and Archives and realised it was a great opportunity to play a role in the local community and retain my communication skills.
I spend most of my volunteering time in the collections department at the museum, which is in a building originally erected in the middle of town in 1857 as barracks for the Royal Denbighshire Militia.
I help with the cataloguing of artefacts on the museum’s website and research valuations for insurance purposes. I also assist in the children’s learning and access workshops when I can.
A highlight was our exhibition of the Mold Gold Cape, an artefact discovered in 1833 that the British Museum houses and lent to us. In just three weeks more than 8,000 visitors came along to view it and I helped answer questions about it.
I am now employed as an external examination invigilator. Keeping abreast with technology has also been a priority and, if time allows, I continue writing two screenplays I really should have finished by now.
Amid the chaos at the time, I saw an advert for the volunteer programme at Wrexham County Borough Museum and Archives and realised it was a great opportunity to play a role in the local community and retain my communication skills.
I spend most of my volunteering time in the collections department at the museum, which is in a building originally erected in the middle of town in 1857 as barracks for the Royal Denbighshire Militia.
I help with the cataloguing of artefacts on the museum’s website and research valuations for insurance purposes. I also assist in the children’s learning and access workshops when I can.
A highlight was our exhibition of the Mold Gold Cape, an artefact discovered in 1833 that the British Museum houses and lent to us. In just three weeks more than 8,000 visitors came along to view it and I helped answer questions about it.
I am now employed as an external examination invigilator. Keeping abreast with technology has also been a priority and, if time allows, I continue writing two screenplays I really should have finished by now.
