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Challenge accepted: getting creative at Manchester Museum

04 Jun 2026

Annie shares how she used her volunteering days to inspire creativity and support families during the holidays

Annie looking through a circular branch in a forest

As someone who is passionate about accessible museums and creative activities for young people, I was excited when I heard about the University's colleague volunteering policy. It gave me the perfect opportunity to get involved with Manchester Museum – somewhere I’ve always loved visiting.

I used two volunteering days during the Easter holidays, supporting visitors and family activities at Manchester Museum during one of its busiest periods. In the mornings, I welcomed visitors and shared information about exhibitions and events, while afternoons were spent supporting the popular Clay Play workshops led by local artists.

My highlight was seeing how enthusiastic visitors were about their museum experience, particularly the children. Many arrived inspired by the galleries – especially the dinosaurs – and there were plenty of clay T-Rexes heading home at the end of the day. It was rewarding to encourage people to get creative without worrying about making something ‘perfect’.

Volunteering gave me the chance to meet visitors from a wide range of backgrounds and interests, and learn more about the Museum’s work while taking a step back from the day job.

If you're thinking about using your volunteering days, I’d definitely encourage you to do it. The scheme makes it easy to get involved with a local organisation or cause that interests you, while gaining new experiences and meeting new people along the way.

Annie S-B, FBMH Doctoral Academy

Find out more 

  • Volunteering Policy: all colleagues are entitled to three paid leave days (pro rata) each year, to dedicate their time and skills to a local cause of their choosing.
  • Challenge Accepted: our fundraising and volunteering campaign is one of the first bold steps in delivering our Manchester 2035 strategy; committing to becoming a great philanthropic university by connecting people to the causes that matter most.
  • Stuck on how to use your volunteering days? Check out some of our existing partnerships in the university, from becoming a STEM ambassador to inspire young people to take a STEM pathway in their future, to our Access Project, allowing you to tutor GCSE students, raising their aspirations and confidence.