Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums (TWAM)

What is Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums? 

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) is a regional museum, art gallery and archives service. We manage nine museums and galleries across Tyneside and the Archives for Tyne and Wear.  

We are supported by the four local authorities in Tyneside and Newcastle University. TWAM is also a National Portfolio Organisation funded by Arts Council England.  

We hold collections of international importance in archives including:  

• art 
• science and technology 
• archaeology 
• military and social history 
• fashion 
• natural sciences 

We deliver regional programmes including:  

• The Museum Development programme. A comprehensive, effective and collaborative response to the needs of museums in the North East and the communities they serve.   
• A regional cultural learning service. This focus' on supporting the network of Local Cultural Education Partnerships, and building links with the Youth Work sector and the health sector.  
• The North East Family Arts Network. This supports cultural organisations in the North East to provide high quality and inclusive experiences for families.  
• Environmental Information Records Centre. A partnership of wildlife recorders, statutory bodies, local authorities and wildlife trusts. They work together to collate environmental data used to inform nature conservation.  
• The Northumberland and Tyne and Wear elements of the national Portable Antiquities Scheme on behalf of the British Museum.  

Why volunteer for TWAM?  

Volunteers are essential to the work that we do. You can help ensure our museums and galleries are innovative, imaginative, creative, inclusive, secure and sustainable.  

In turn, we hope volunteering will help you to develop new skills and interests. Meet friendly, like-minded people, gain confidence and a sense of well-being, and strengthen your CV.  

What’s a current opportunity I can get involved with?  

Great North Museum: Hancock - ERIC Field Survey volunteers  

We are looking for volunteers to assist in our field surveys. This is part of an ongoing Ancient Woodland Inventory update project for Northumberland. This project is working to gather evidence of ancientness in woodlands with the potential for designation of Ancient Woodland status at some sites. This role will be physically assisting in our field surveys. This will involve visiting woodland sites to look at the structure of the woodland, and the various species of plants and animals we can find there. You will be given a set site and survey to follow. Any training on plant ID will be provided as needed.   

Hatton Art Gallery - Matt Rugg Exhibition Gallery Invigilator 

The Hatton Art Gallery is looking for volunteers to invigilate in the Hatton Gallery’s exhibition - Matt Rugg: Connecting Form. This runs from 23 September 2023 – 13 January 2024 (Monday-Saturday).  

Volunteer invigilators will assist our Front of House team to enhance the experience of visiting Hatton Gallery. We  offer a morning and afternoon shift of three hours each. This can be flexible if people would like to attend at slightly different times. Each shift is attended by up to three volunteers  

How do I get involved?  

Register as a volunteer now whether you have 10 minutes to spare or want to volunteer on a weekly basis. Once registered, you can find out about any new opportunities.