A Day in the Life of a Staithes Museum Volunteer

It’s a chilly winter morning in Staithes, the kind where the sea mist hangs low over the rooftops and there are more cats than seagulls on the streets - all the birds are tucked up in the cliff, out of the wind's reach. I come in through the museum door and say good morning to Rosie, who has already got the kettle on. It’s quiet — winter is always a gentler season here — but that’s part of the charm.

The first job of the day is to make sure the shop is ready. A few postcards to straighten, a couple of local books to restock, and a quick check that the donation box hasn’t wandered off. Then it’s time to settle in behind the counter with a hot drink and a copy of Staithes: a life story from the volunteer borrowing collection. It’s one of my favourites - full of stories, life and a love for Staithes.

Some days, the morning passes quietly. Other days, a visitor wanders in and we end up talking for ages - about the cottages they’ve stayed in, their grandparents who fished here, or how the weather always feels different in Staithes than anywhere else. There’s something about the museum that makes people open up. Everyone has a story to tell, and I love being here to listen.

In the afternoons, another volunteer might pop in for a chat. We share a biscuit or two and catch up on the latest museum news from the newsletter - a new object found its way in, a photograph identified, or plans for next summer’s display. Even on the quietest days, there’s a lovely sense of being part of something.

Before locking up, I like to take one last look around the rooms upstairs - the model boats, the fishing gear, the faces staring out from black-and-white photographs. It always feels like they’re keeping watch, quietly approving.

Being a volunteer here isn’t about rushing or ticking boxes. It’s about keeping Staithes’ stories alive, one conversation at a time. It’s peaceful, friendly, and full of small surprises - and if you love the village as much as we do, you’ll fit right in.

👉 If you’d like to volunteer at Staithes Museum, or join one of our Volunteer Open Days, we’d love to meet you. No experience needed — just a bit of curiosity and a love of local history. Pop in or email Rosie at staithesmuseum@gmail.com