5 things you didn’t know about volunteering with At-Bristol Science Centre...

As a charity, volunteers are a hugely important part of the work we do and help us to bring science to life! So, to celebrate our fantastic volunteers we caught up with Jordan Frost, who joined us in August 2015. Jordan is currently studying for a mathematics degree at the University of Bristol and has provided us with over 70 hours of volunteer support so far! Here’s what he had to say:

1. You don’t have to be the next Einstein!

Not everyone who volunteers with At-Bristol has a background in science. All you need to volunteer is a passion for creativity and helping kids to discover what interests them. There is always training before volunteering at events and you can ask as many questions as you want. So don’t worry if you don’t understand what E=mc2 actually means...

2. It’s not just kids who get to have fun with science 

You get to work with lots of different visitors. At the After Hours events grown-ups can come and enjoy the exhibitions without the kids around. As a volunteer you get to share the enjoyment of people acting like a kid again (but this time they have wine instead of Ribena). It’s surprisingly entertaining how competitive they can get! 

3. Volunteering is fun for you too!

I’ve hunted for fossils, constructed a helicopter out of paper straws and made rice crispy cakes at schools workshops. I’ve even had to dress up as a forensic scientist in overalls for a crime scene re-enactment! It’s so much fun, and there isn’t anything much more rewarding than being there when kids have their own eureka moment, then being able to encourage their curiosity further – and this is something you get to do every time you volunteer. 

4. You can volunteer whenever it suits you

As a volunteer there isn’t a required amount of hours you need to do, you can choose to volunteer when it works for you. There is also a huge variety of stuff to get involved with, including schools workshops, adult events and Toddler Takeovers events! I really enjoy the community weekends where we welcome local communities who may not visit otherwise get a chance to visit; and to help them get creative and hands on with science. All the different events and activities can fit around almost any timetable, you can pick and mix.

5. You get to be a real part of the At-Bristol community 

The first thing you notice when you start volunteering is that everyone is very welcoming and friendly! You quickly fit in and realise how things work. You get a real sense of community when meeting and working with staff and other volunteers, and we always end up having fun working together!
 

Interested in volunteering? Find out more and apply online, or chat to our Volunteering Team on 0117 915 7122 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)