Yesterday, I had a very different day (for me), I didn’t have the kids or hubby with me, and I spent the day talking to people I’d never met before.

Earlier in the year I registered with the Volunteering Wales website, just to see what sort of opportunities were around, lots of things were emailed to me that didn’t really take my interest.  But then I had one about a new volunteering opportunity with the National Museum in Cardiff, which sounded really interesting so I thought I’d apply and see what happened.  This was back in April, but things got delayed due to the gallery manager being off on the sick.  While I was on my hols I received a couple of emails inviting me to an Induction Day – I’d got the job! So that was where I was yesterday.

I was so nervous, I haven’t done any ‘real’ work since having Daniel – nearly five years ago.  I needn’t have been though, they were all very nice, friendly people.  There was seven of us volunteers altogether, and I did start feeling a bit under-qualified, they were all reeling off what degrees they had, mostly in archeaology, which was the reason for them being interested in the post.  Eventhough they all had these fancy degrees they weren’t actually working in the area they were qualified for, they were either unemployed or doing things like selling car insurance.

We spent the morning learning about the Museum security, the basics of what they envision us doing, other aspects of what the museum do, and just generally getting to know people.  The main part of the post will be that we’ll be given a few objects, then be positioned in the relevant part of the museum, and try and get the visitors interested in handling these objects and just give them a few facts about them.  For example, in the museum there’s a life size model of a basking shark hanging from the ceiling, we will be given three objects relating to it, like shark teeth, and a book about sharks so we can speak to the public and let them handle the teeth whilst giving them a few facts about the basking shark.

Once we’re ‘in the system’ we can also get involved with other events that happen in the museum, like the Big Draw, and family fun days where they need extra people to help out.

I don’t know when I’ll be starting yet, hopefully in the next couple of weeks, it seems the first couple of times will be spent getting to know our objects and talking to the specialist in that area.  We can do as much or as little as we want, which is perfect for me, as I was just looking for something that would get me out of the house for a few hours and thinking about something else.

Wish me luck!