Volunteering with the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum
Image: “Dippy The Dino” event. Dippy the Dino was made entirely of LEGO, in just 3 days. From the 15th to the 17th of February 2019, kids were able to join in and build the LEGO blocks that were used to make the Diplodocus. By the end of the three days, Dippy was built, there was a total of 35,000 LEGO bricks! (Photo by Chelsea Hall)
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. Today, we are catching up with one of our young volunteers - Chelsea. Here is her story:
“I have volunteered with the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace since February 2019, either by photographing events, helping out, or sometimes both at the same time. Whatever it is I am doing, it is always a very enjoyable experience, meeting so many new people, learning about Andrew Carnegie and Dunfermline, as well as gaining confidence and communication skills. I have spent time volunteering in all different areas and types of places in Dunfermline, but the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum has been by far the best. There is always an event for everyone, and they are always entertaining and fun. Whenever I volunteer at kids events the kids are always so happy being there, and I always hear good things from the parents.”
We asked Chelsea some questions about volunteering with us:
Image: “Dippy about Dinosaurs” event. There was no shortage of activities at this event, from face painting, dinosaur dig pits, fossil handling, Dinosaur dress-up, to a Dino egg hunt. (Photo by Chelsea Hall)
What is your favourite event you have volunteered for and why?
I have really enjoyed all the events I have done so far, but if I had to pick one, I would have to say the Dippy about Dinosaurs event, because there were so many activities in every part of the museum and it was probably the busiest event I have volunteered for so far, so there was a lot to photograph and a lot of people to interact with, which was really fun.
What is your favourite task and why? You have done lots of different things!
I really enjoy the events where there is a lot of arts and crafts, where I have to get really involved. From before the event starts with trying out the crafts myself so I know what to do and how to show the kids and parents what to do, then during the event where I have to help out more than I do with the other types of events, either showing everyone what to do, keeping up with the art supplies, or keeping the area tidy.
Image: “Egyptian Day” event. Filled with all different kinds of activities, from finding fossils in sand pits, to Egyptian replicas. (Photo by Chelsea Hall)
What do you love most about volunteering with us?
Every event is different, I’m never quite sure what is going to happen each time I volunteer and what I am going to have to learn or do, but one thing I always know, is that it will always be fun and busy, and I will leave there more confident than I was before I arrived.
Have you learnt any new skills/built confidence?
Definitely! I have built a lot of confidence and I have learnt quite a few skills, including how to do arts and crafts, how to interact and help kids, communication and people skills, I even managed to improve my photography skills!
Thank you, Chelsea, for chatting to us today and for helping to bring our family events programme to life!