University of York Partners with Museums to Boost Inclusive Volunteering

The research project aims to break down barriers and broaden the talent pool accessing volunteering opportunities.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The University of York has partnered with leading museums and heritage organizations across the UK, including London Zoo, Imperial War Museums, and Forestry England, to help people from diverse backgrounds access volunteering opportunities. The project, led by Professor Martin Webber and Dr. Beth Casey, has been awarded over £500,000 by the NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR) to investigate how these organizations can set up inclusive volunteering programs that benefit people, organizations, and wider society.

Why it matters

Many museums rely on volunteers to operate, but volunteering has traditionally been accessed by a narrow demographic. This research aims to make volunteering more inclusive, benefiting individuals, organizations, and communities by tapping into a wider pool of talent and promoting social inclusion.

The details

The project builds on a successful pilot project developed at Ripon Museums Trust, which has now been scaled up to work with six diverse partner organizations across the UK. The research team will test a practical guide to inclusive volunteering programs developed during the Ripon study, with the goal of creating a gold standard that can be adopted across the UK. The project encourages organizations to focus on providing the opportunity first, allowing skills, confidence, and social connection to develop through the experience.

  • The University of York research team began the project in March 2026.
  • The research will be conducted over a 12-month period, tracking 80 participants to evaluate the impact of the program on their wellbeing and social inclusion.

The players

Professor Martin Webber

Project Co-Lead and Director of the Mental Health Social Care Research Centre at the University of York.

Dr. Beth Casey

Project Co-Lead and Research Associate in the School for Business and Society at the University of York.

Ripon Museums Trust

A small local museum in North Yorkshire that acted as an independent consultant to support some of the UK's largest national organizations in the project.

London Zoo

One of the partner organizations taking part in the inclusive volunteering initiative.

Imperial War Museums

One of the partner organizations taking part in the inclusive volunteering initiative.

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What they’re saying

“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with six fantastic organisations to support the development of inclusive volunteering programmes. We hope the research will highlight how inclusive volunteering can benefit people, organisations and wider society. We are looking forward to meeting volunteers to hear about their experiences and the support they receive.”

— Dr. Beth Casey, Project Co-Lead and Research Associate in the School for Business and Society (Mirage News)

“For someone recovering from an inpatient admission or living with a disability, the idea of jumping straight into employment can be daunting. Inclusive volunteering provides a vital stepping stone. It is a long-term investment; while initial support might be higher, the payoff for both the individual and the organisation is immense.”

— Professor Martin Webber, Project Co-Lead and Director of the Mental Health Social Care Research Centre (Mirage News)

What’s next

The research team will continue to work with the partner organizations over the next 12 months, tracking the progress and impact of the inclusive volunteering programs.

The takeaway

This project highlights the importance of making volunteering opportunities more accessible and inclusive, benefiting both individuals and the organizations they support. By investing in inclusive volunteering, these heritage and nature-based organizations are helping to build a more connected and equitable society.