Volunteer to Audit Artwork Collection

The Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund is an established Charity of CNWL. The Charity's vision is 'to create a world where ordinary people are empowered to do extraordinary things and achieve outstanding outcomes, for the benefit of all regardless of whether they have, or care for someone, with a physical or mental illness.'

ABOUT THE ROLE

CNWL has a large collection of uncatalogued paintings, murals, signed prints, sculpture, etc. across their sites. These have either been donated to, or bought by the charity, and are on display across the Trust. As it is uncatalogued, we have no precise record of what is out there on display and what’s its value is/ might be. It is also currently uninsured, and vulnerable to theft, disposal and/or damage.

We would like to record and catalogue the artwork we have on all of our sites. For this, we are looking for someone with a keen interest in art or with a background in museum/ archiving work, who would like to take on this project.

COMMITMENT AND LOCATION

The role time commitment is flexible and involves site visits and research done from home. We are looking for flexible support for as long as you can give it to us.

Access to a personal computer is essential, and a digital Camera/ phone will be helpful, in order to take images of the artwork.

This role can be carried out from home plus visits to our local sites. Our sites expand from Central London to Milton Keynes, Surrey and include some prison services.

KEY TASKS

We are looking for local volunteers and those interested in arts to work as a team with other volunteers to:

• Define what we mean by art, what we record and how
• Engage with divisions and services to kick start the project
• Contact CNWL sites with items to catalogue to agree visit day/ time
• Compiling and maintaining a clear record of findings
• Carrying out some research into identified pieces
• Reporting research findings to your placement supervisor
• Organising and archiving images and findings in a clear and consistent fashion
• Reading and following our policies & procedures - designed to keep you safe, including guidance around confidentiality

The safety our volunteers, staff and patients is key, so we also ask you to:

• Follow the same Covid-19 procedures as our staff, including regular Covid-19 testing, temperature checks and risk assessments
• Be fully compliant with confidentiality of all information at all times, no matter how trivial it may appear, protecting the privacy and dignity of patients

KEY SKILLS, TRAITS and EXPERIENCE

• Self-starter and good initiative skills
• Confidence and tenacity
• Good personal skills, including liaising with different professionals across sites
• Initiative to identify tasks and support the team
• Ability to do research and keep accurate records and databases
• Commitment to uphold trust core values and NHS policies

WHAT IS IN THERE FOR YOU?

• An opportunity to help the NHS in a time of growing pressure
• The opportunity to develop new skills and interests in arts, research and curatorial skills
• Full support and a range of training, including Confidentiality, Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity
• A really rewarding and varied project
• The opportunity to progress on to a range of other volunteering opportunities
• A reference for future volunteering or employment, following completion of 60 hours of volunteering
• Following our Expenses Policy, reimbursement of agreed expenses