Responsibilities of the volunteer Heritage tour guide comprise giving pre-booked tours of the RCOG’s Heritage displays in Union Street to a variety of audiences, including clinicians and the general public.
This appointment is for a term of up to three years (with the option to extend), to start in autumn 2024, and will be appointed by application and interview.
UK Fellows and Members, Retired Fellows and Members, Trainees and Associates are eligible to apply for this position.
Please see the role description, person specifications and other information at the bottom of the page.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the form via the button below.
Should you have any additional enquiries please email heritage@rcog.org.uk.
Application deadline: Friday 27 September 2024
Interview date: tbc
What our volunteers say
"Networking with colleagues, feeling part of the important work being done by the College and being recognised for your contribution. It makes me feel so honoured and valued"
"Volunteering gives you the opportunity to develop personally through sharing your experiences and supports you to maintain your wellbeing by having time to relax among friends who understand the work you do"
"These relationships have been some of the most rewarding in my career. I would thoroughly recommend these roles to any aspiring colleagues with an interest in education and training"
"In my personal experience, committee roles and experiences gave me more motivation and passion to remain involved as an effective mentor, educator and trainer for my trainees"
Role description
Volunteer Heritage Tour Guide
Heritage Team (Archivist and Curator)
Up to three years, with option to extend
We are seeking volunteers to lead pre-booked guided tours of the displays of the RCOG Heritage Collections in Union Street. These displays include historic medical equipment, artworks, books and archive material. Read more about our Heritage Collections here.
Audiences are varied, including student midwives, clinicians, academic researchers, the general public and staff, officers and Members of the RCOG. Tours last for approximately one hour and take place on the ground floor of the RCOG’s Union Street building.
The Heritage Team (Archivist and Curator) will administer tour requests and liaise with guides around suitable dates and availability. Full training will be given prior to commencing the role.
Travel expenses for London Zone 1 will be provided, as well as a free lunch on site.
Due to the nature of the role, we are chiefly seeking applicants who are based in or within reasonable travelling distance of London.
Lead pre-booked guided tours of the Heritage displays in Union Street.
- Heritage Team (Archivist and Curator)
- Library Team
Flexible – guides only volunteer for tours that fit their availability. Tour slots will be offered between 10am and 4pm on Tuesdays to Fridays.
Person specification
- Confident and clear communicator
- Ability to engage with people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of knowledge
- Flexible schedule
- Interest in history and heritage
- Good customer service
Terms of reference
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) was founded in 1929, with the purpose of improving the care and safety of women in childbirth, and the standards of healthcare delivery for women in hospitals. It has charitable status (Registered Charity No. 213280).
The RCOG has a charitable objective to ‘encourage the study, and advance the science and practice, of obstetrics and gynaecology’ and aims to achieve ‘high quality women’s health care everywhere.’
The RCOG Heritage Collections support this objective by aspiring to be the destination for resources concerning the history of women’s health care and through bringing to life the history of women’s health care through guided tours of Union Street.
- Volunteer guides will advocate for and promote the Heritage Collections internally at the RCOG and externally, in order to bring attention to, and public awareness of, the RCOG’s current work and goals
- Volunteer guides will abide by the RCOG’s Volunteering Policy, Safeguarding policy, Code of Conduct policy and Language Guide
- Term of appointment will be for up to three years, with the option to extend
No regular meetings are required, although a full training session will be provided.
Volunteering with the RCOG is a rich and rewarding experience which offers a range of professional and personal benefits:
- Professional recognition
- Build networks and friendships
- Career development
- Make meaningful change
- Wellbeing