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Becoming a Dad's Army Museum Volunteer:
Frequently Asked Question's:
Do I need to be an expert on Dad's Army?
In short ~ NO. It would be an advantage to have seen some of the tv programmes, be aware of the characters, or maybe have an interest in the 1940's.
Your knowledge will improve as you become more involved and our 'resident' experts will always be on hand to field any real searching questions from those 'die-hard' Dad's Army fans. Many of our visitors do not have an in depth knowledge, they just enjoy the Museum as a nostalgic view of the 1940's and the Dad's Army series.
Will I have to commit a lot of my time to the Dad's Army Museum?
You can commit as much or as little of your time that you choose.
However the Museum is only open every Saturday between 10am-2pm therefore your valuable time may only be needed as little as 2 hours each month, the more volunteers we register the greater the duties can be shared. But any time you can offer will be gratefully received.
What sort of duties will be expected of me?
The Museum has been recently extended, therefore the space we now occupy in the lower part of the Guildhall has almost doubled in size from where we operated from last year.
It basically covers three rooms ~ two are dedicated to Dad's Army information displays (although we also cover the Thetford Fire Station that once occupied part of the Museum area and the Thetford Home Guard), the third being given over to merchandise in a dedicated shop area.
Therefore your role could be to assist visitors in the main display areas, or working behind the shop counter. Either way you will start by being partnered with one of the more experienced DA Museum volunteers to gain experience ~ we would never throw you into the deep-end!
There are also a number of other ways in which you could also help ~ we have recently started to deliver a number of themed events ~ we will be hosting our third 1940's Dance at the Carnegie Room which needs volunteers to help with the setting and cleaning up of the room, perhaps helping behind the bar, selling raffle tickets etc.
And as already mentioned we have extended and refurbished the Museum and its displays and have relied on our fantastic team of volunteers to help with various decorating jobs. The Museum is an ongoing project and will need that sort of help in the future, you may want to just help in these kinds of roles as and when required.
What do I do next if I want to help?
In the first instance contact Mick Whitman (Volunteer Coordinator), or pop into theTourist Information Office, 2new horizons Travel, Market Place, Thetford, they can answer any other questions you may have, before you complete the Volunteers Registration Form.
If you wish to also get involved in certain specialised events such as those that work with children and vulnerable adults, you will also need to apply for a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check, this will be at a cost of £10. and payable to KAVO the organization that will process the application.
Once the registration form and CRB check has been cleared, you will also be allowed to assist on those kinds of themed activities.
Once the relevant forms have been completed, you will be invited to an induction meeting with Corinne Fulford, to understand the responsibilities/duties within the Museum, and the necessary Health & Safety and Emergency regulations.
The next stage is to join one of our current Museum volunteers during a Saturday Museum opening, where you can shadow them and gain a greater understanding of what is expected before you feel confident enough to volunteer for a duty on your own.
We are keen to expand the number of volunteers within the group, and very much hope you will consider taking the next steps to joining the 'ranks' of the Dad's Army Museum volunteers.
Useful Contact numbers:
Stuart Wright ~ Chairman ~ tel: 01842 754166
Corinne Fulford ~ Museum Coordinator ~ tel: 07802 701911
Mick Whitman ~ Volunteer Coordinator ~ tel: 01842 755903
John hard at work
Derek on duty
Robin & friends
