Volunteer with us

Volunteer with Lancashire Archives and Local History

Lancashire Archives is home to millions of historical documents that help tell the amazing story of our county, from 1115 – the date of the oldest – to the Twenty first century. Our collections continue to grow and we need to keep them safe for future, whilst also ensuring that as many people as possible can access and enjoy them today. With nine miles of shelving already full, new deposits arriving every week, and thousands of people engaging with the service every year, there's always something that needs doing.  If you have some time to spare every week and would like to help, we might have a volunteering opportunity that's right for you. 

We work closely with Lancashire Volunteer Partnership  to ensure that full training is provided along with a friendly, supportive and inclusive environment. We are based in Preston, but there may be opportunities to volunteer in a library near you.

 

What we need help with

Creating information about our archive and local history collections

These lists and indexes will be put online so that people can find out about what we have. This involves reading original documents and using a computer and spreadsheet software. There may be opportunities for those who would prefer to write these out by hand.

Cleaning and repackaging archive documents

This will help preserve them for future generations to enjoy.

Digitising archive collections

This mean we can make digital versions of archive documents, including sound recordings, accessible to people online.

Digitising historic photographs

People enjoy looking at old photographs of people and places from Lancashire's past and we want to make lots more available online on Red Rose Collections  

Doing research in our archive and local history collections 

Find out about something you are interested in and write about it – this could be an article for our Archives magazine, something for social media or extra information for our catalogues

Helping people with their family history research

Use your expertise to help people at our family history drop-in sessions

Delivering school sessions, events and exhibitions.

We have an interesting programme of engagement activities planned and will often need an extra pair of hands. You might, for example, help set-up for an event, greet and signpost people on the day or support people doing craft activities

 

Find out More

If you would like to find out more, please contact us at archives@lancashire.gov.uk or on 01772 533039.  

We will answer any initial questions you might have and arrange for you to come in, find out about what we do, and chat about how you might help. After that, it’s just a case of completing a short online application form and, once that has been processed, arranging for you to make a start.