Archive Research Volunteers (History Detectives)

Are you a "history detective"? Do you enjoy revealing hidden gems of historic moments? Are you someone who likes to question? Did the famous 19th c. classical composer Samuel Coleridge Taylor of Sierra Leonean descent ever visit Union Chapel? What happened here during WW2?

Answer these questions by being a part of an exciting time here at Union Chapel; as we discover the stories of Nonconformist Christianity, music of the ages and peel away the layers of history hidden within our archive.

You will:
• Pick out interesting historical facts about Nonconformist Christianity, the Music at Union Chapel and/or Childhood to be used in our interpretation/future exhibitions
• Make discoveries in the archives of our neighbours by conducting research in other archives such as the Islington History Centre, LGBTQ+ Archive etc, to bridge the gaps and contextualise Union Chapel's 200+ year history

About you:
• Passionate about researching and uncovering the stories of local history
• Reliable and flexible
• Can read cursive writing well
• Good attention to detail
• Great organisational skills
• An independent worker
• Bonus: interested in organ compositions!

Benefits
• A professional reference for future career opportunities
• Chance to discover new interesting facts and make your mark
• Development of skills
• Be a part of the curation of future exhibitions
• Access to Union Chapel Guest list to attend shows and events (subject to availability)

Availability: - For 2 hours on Monday's weekly, starting from 13th January 2025 onwards.

Duration: - This is a short-term role lasting 3 months.

There is a preference for those with some knowledge of the local history in and around Islington; as well as those who have had past researching experiences.

This volunteer position requires someone who is comfortable climbing lots of stairs and carrying heavy boxes at times due to restrictive conditions of the building. However, remote opportunities will also be available in early 2025.

How to apply:
Please send your CV to the contact email address below. If you do in fact have prior research experience, indicate what you did in a short cover letter.

Further Union Chapel context:
Union Chapel is home to a unique multi award-winning arts venue, with a reputation for international cultural events engaging diverse audiences. For over 30 years, events have been our lifeblood, annually engaging 123,000+ visitors through 175 events.

Union Chapel is more than a venue. A Grade I listed Gothic architectural jewel and key heritage space with a rich history and archive, it is home to secular projects tackling homelessness and social justice, including empowering local communities with support, creative activities, and training and employability programmes. It is also the home to a working, progressive and inclusive church. Profits from events directly support our vital charitable work with local communities and we are a model of good practice for community engagement - epitomised by our Margins Café, run by hospitality trainees with lived experience of homelessness, serving meals both for the community drop-in service, and for audience members prior to events.

SUNDAY SCHOOL STORIES PROJECT
This is an exciting time to join Union Chapel as we have just launched the capital works to refurbish our Sunday School Hall into as a state-of-the-art arts and heritage centre, hosting first-class creative engagement programmes co-created with local communities around Union Chapel's unique heritage and archive. Supported by a range of funders including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this new space will further position Union Chapel as a unique organisation, bringing culture, community, social justice and heritage together in union; and the work is starting now!

Volunteer with us to help shape and deliver this exciting programme. What you'll get in return:

• A chance to work with an experienced and enthusiastic team on an exciting new programme of activities with training and support to enable you to carry out your role.
• A chance to develop new skills.
• Opportunities to meet new people.
• References for future employment and volunteer roles, on request.