Throughout the last year, the Volunteering Team has worked with a variety of cultural sites in the local area and we had the opportunity to go on a walking tour and explore the London Museum of Water and Steam, the Musical Museum, and the Watermans Arts Centre. The Steam Museum is situated on the old Kew Bridge Pumping Station and now holds a collection of water-pumping steam engines. The Musical Museum tells the story of how we have enjoyed music through the ages and houses a huge Mighty Wurlitzer Cinema Organ, designed to accompany silent films. The Watermans Centre is built on the site of the gas works and has an all-year programme of theatre, cinema, and art exhibitions. It is famous for its Asian-centred cultural activities!

Photography students at UWL’s London School of Film, Media and Design will be putting together an exhibition called ‘Living London’ at the Steam Museum later in the year.

Gunnersbury Park Museum, a short walk from the Ealing Campus, is former home to Nathan De Rothschild, an incredibly wealthy family with connections all over Europe and avid art collectors. Many UWL students exhibit here. You can also be involved with volunteer archiving, gardening, and customer service roles.

The Volunteering Team will be collaborating with a variety of community-based cultural partners in the coming months, including Brentford's Creative Mile, Friday 30 August – Sunday 1 September 2024, which brings together artists, makers, museums, and art centres to celebrate creativity in the heart of Brentford. Students will have the opportunity to explore some of the artist studios involved before the weekend. 

We are also working to support the Brentford Canal Festival, along with Boston Manor House which celebrates music, water sports, and generally enjoying life by the water! There will be a range of ways students can be involved, from digital marketing, photography, and even audio tech support for live bands! We hope to continue to support and explore the local heritage around UWL sites and promote ways students can be involved creatively within their local community.

• To hear about these opportunities, follow The V Team on Instagram.
• Find out about volunteering opportunities at the London Museum of Water and Steam. 
• Explore volunteering at the Musical Museum. 
• For volunteering opportunities at Boston Manor House, register your interest at anna.somner@hounslow.gov.uk.