See our diverse volunteering opportunities below, with information on how to apply.
Re-ordering First World War diaries project
We are looking for volunteers to help us ensure that the pages within the 5,500 pieces of the WO 95 series are in the correct order before we conserve and digitise them. The work involves handling original documents and will take place at The National Archives in Kew - we will provide training and supervision for volunteers, no prior knowledge of the series is required. If you are interested in volunteering your time for this project, please email: wardiaries@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
Cataloguing work
Due to high levels of interest we are not currently accepting new cataloguing volunteer applications. Please check this page again at a later date.
Benefits
Volunteers are entitled to:
- attend an annual volunteers' event at The National Archives - a chance to share your views and experiences with other volunteers
- training in a project
- a permanent member of staff to liaise with you
How to apply:
Due to high levels of interest we are not currently accepting new cataloguing volunteer applications.If you have any queries, please email us at volunteer@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Work experience in Document Services
In addition to the volunteering opportunities described above, we also operate specific work experience schemes: one aimed at school students in the local area, and another to give people with autism the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and develop a range of interpersonal and life skills.
A structured work placement is a chance to learn more about what it is like to work in an archive, and to get some practical, hands-on experience of working as part of a team. The work will include:
- producing and returning original documents accurately from the repository floor to the reading rooms
- using computer systems to log and track document movements accurately
- working in a customer service environment
- learning how we preserve and care for documents
- learning about document relocation processes
- working as an effective member of a team
A typical placement would be no more than two weeks - ten consecutive working days - within the Document Services department.
How to apply
Places on these schemes are very popular and are always oversubscribed. If you are interested in taking part in one of these schemes, you should contact the relevant partner organisation we work with in the first instance; so either Prospects (National Autistic Society), Richmond Voluntary Services (Mental Health Rehabilitation Charity) or your school work experience coordinator if you are a school student.
If you are an interested in a placement opportunity and would like to know more, please contact DSDTraining@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
Security checks
Please note that all volunteers invited to work at The National Archives will be subject to a full security clearance check before they can start work. The process may take up to eight weeks to complete.
Where becoming a volunteer or intern requires behind the scenes access, this is granted at The National Archives' discretion.
