The Restoration Trust is looking to recruit a Freelance Conservator, of any specialism, who is interested in preparing and delivering the workshops.
The Restoration Trust initiates and runs projects that connect people who live with mental health issues with heritage, including archaeology, ancient landscapes, historic places, museums and archives. Stimulating friendship, curiosity and imagination, these projects help people feel more human again. Our vision is to change how people living with mental health challenges are treated, by means of therapeutic and creative interaction with heritage. We call this culture therapy, and we want it to become everyday good practice in heritage and mental health provision.
Immersing ourselves in creativity and heritage has well-evidenced health benefits. Heritage assets are a resource for social prescribing, helping health services to refocus early intervention and prevention away from institutions and into communities.
The Project
The Restoration Trust has funding to carry out a series of Conservation for Wellbeing (C4W) workshops, in London. C4W workshops use practical activities and discussion to engage and connect participants with mental health challenges in the repair and protection of heritage collections. The workshops are planned for autumn 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
We are looking to recruit a conservator, of any specialism, who is interested in preparing and delivering the workshops. Support and coaching will be provided at every stage. We see this as an opportunity for learning as much as a paid offer of work. The conservator will work closely with the project worker from The Restoration Trust to develop and carry out the workshops.
About You
This is a new way of working with conservation, collections and the public and we do not require prior experience but an interest in or experience of teaching / public engagement projects would be valuable. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, creative and likes working with people. We are excited about C4W as an opportunity to expand the way in which people approach and think about conservation and hope you will share our enthusiasm. You will be comfortable with independent working, have good time-management skills and be committed to improving access and diversity in the heritage sector.
How to Apply
To find out more about The Restoration Trust, please visit their website. To apply, please complete an application form, the job description is on the googleform.
If the googleform is difficult to access (or the formatting has gone awry) you can obtain an application form as a Word doc, or if you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected].
The deadline for applications is Monday 14 July at 12PM. Online interviews will take place on Thursday 24 July.