Porters and museum staff at the Royal College of Surgeons of England carrying a large whale bone on their shoulders down the front steps of the College in the 1930s, when the collection of whale specimens was being transferred to the Natural History Museum.
Volunteering at the Hunterian Museum
Whether you are looking to gain experience in working in a museum, work part time or are retired and want to be part of a stimulating and interesting environment, the Hunterian Museum is a fascinating place and there are many ways to get involved as a volunteer.
Volunteer activities include:
- Welcoming museum visitors at the main reception desk - providing information and sale of guidebooks
- Shop desk support – information and sales
- Museum invigilation walk-throughs
- College 'Heritage and Collections' tours of the main building
- Temporary exhibitions gallery invigilation (from August 2023)
- Supporting schools sessions
- Contribute copy and support editing of ‘Surgical Spirit’ - the Hunterian Museum e-magazine with news, updates and new research into collections that goes out to everyone on the Hunterian Museum mailing list and will be available to download from the Hunterian Museum website
Volunteers will receive:
- Full support and training
- Volunteers-only events and lectures
- Social activities
- Discounts in the café and shop
Commitments:
- Volunteers must be aged 16 or over
- A minimum commitment of two days a month - weekdays and/or weekends
If you are interested in volunteering please contact [email protected]
News from the Hunterian
To keep up to date with the latest news, upcoming events and exhibitions sign up to the Hunterian e-newsletter.

Surgical Spirit
The Hunterian Museum bi-annual e-magazine with news, updates and new research related to the Museum collections and their history. Surgical Spirit goes out to everyone on the Hunterian Museum mailing list and will be available to download from the website.
Royal College of Surgeons of England Conserve our Collections scheme
With over 70,000 specimens and objects in the RCSEng Museum collections there is always conservation work to be done.
How you can help
- Visit the Royal College of Surgeons of England website to see the objects currently in need of conservation work.
- View the items and read about them, what work needs to be done on them and how much the conservation work will cost.
- Complete your donation online or download a donation form to be completed and freepost returned to the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Learn more on the Royal College of Surgeons of England Conserve our Collections website, including how to donate to conserve the archive and book collections at the college.

Pocket case of surgical instruments owned by Mungo Park (1771–1806), before conservation work

Pocket case of surgical instruments owned by Mungo Park (1771–1806), after conservation work