Volunteering

The Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive is dependent on its committed team of volunteers to process the cuttings in the collection. Sessions are run during the day on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10am to 5.30pm. Volunteers try to come in once a week, where this is possible.

We are especially grateful for the 15 or so volunteers who made an enormous contribution to the archive in 2005-2007. They are Cami Garcia, Peter Hoffer, Seán McGouran, Joe St. Johanser, Jay Loizou, Fernando Luiz, Jessica Scantlebury, David Thomas, Richard Woulfe and others.

Volunteers in previous years have included: Mark Collins, John Escolme, Oliver Merrington, Tim Parry, Robert Thompson and Howard Watson.

Here are some examples of tasks carried out by volunteers:

Sorting, photocopying, cataloguing and filing the cuttings
Assisting users of the collection in their research, or undertaking research for external users
Cataloguing badges, banners and t-shirts
Selecting potential cuttings for inclusion in promotional material and external presentations

“LAGNA is an absolute treasure trove. The cuttings represent such an important part of our social history, as seen through the eyes of the straight press. I come away from my volunteering stints fascinated by what I have read, and I’m always eager to return, to learn more”.
Jenny, Volunteer

If you are interested in joining the team, then please contact Robert Thompson at R.E.Thompson@mdx.ac.uk or telephone 020 8411 4933.

We pay volunteers daily travel expenses up to the value of a 1-6 Travelcard.

Updated by Oliver: March 2008