I have been volunteering with GGAT putting sites onto the HER register for a number of weeks now. I decided to participate on this project as I was looking to learn new skills and gain more experience in Archaeology. I have recently completed my Masters in Archaeology but I am always looking to gain more experience to add to my employability. I also thought the idea of helping to create a record of these sites for all to access and for future generations was an exciting idea. I have had experience of excavations before and post-excavation work so this project seemed ideal to learn something new and some new skills that were office and computer-based.

This project was particularly helpful for me to gain more experience as I have just had a baby and would struggle now to get out on excavations. The times that I could volunteer on the project were very flexible which helped me to arrange childcare. The project has been very helpful for me to get used to be being back in a work environment after being on maternity leave and has certainly improved my confidence.

I enjoyed meeting other volunteers on the project and all the staff were very friendly and helpful. I also enjoyed reading about the different sites, whilst putting them onto the record.

I found the software quite hard to use at first but I soon got used to it and understand how to use it now. I always find it useful when doing something new to make sure that I try to do everything on my own after being shown how to do it as I learn better this way and I was encouraged to do this.

It will be unfortunate when this project ends and I hope something else will become available to take its place. This project was an excellent opportunity and I am very grateful that I was accepted to participate in it. 

Sarahjayne Clements, Volunteer

I have been volunteering on the Access to Archaeology project for several weeks now and I am fully enjoying myself. I am spending a day a week working with the curatorial staff to update and expand the Historic Environment Record. After using the HER extensively in my research for my Master’s dissertation I took the opportunity to volunteer for this project to give something back, even if it means taking time away from writing the dissertation! I have also worked with the Trust on a variety of volunteer projects, as well as working for them as a paid archaeologist, and my experiences with them only furthered my desire to get involved with something else.

During my time on this project I have used the computer HER to input and process a variety of reports and sites for the public’s future reference. This required sifting through a lot of documents to gain an accurate picture of the archaeology and recording it in a way that is both useful and easy to understand. At first the software can be quite daunting to use, but after a few entries the process becomes almost second nature.

It has been fun to distract myself from the worries of writing a dissertation and it is unfortunate that this will probably be my last project at GGAT as I am leaving for Scotland soon. I have enjoyed my time spent with the friendly and helpful staff that work here and wish them, and the HER, all the best for the future.

Callum Allsop, Volunteer

The Access to Archaeology project is in full flow at the moment, we had a great response to the project when it was introduced and have successfully managed to recruit all of our volunteers.

The project is important to improve the accessibility and accuracy of records within the HER by adding reports to the HER.  The project also allows volunteers to learn more about the role of the HER and also the archaeology of Southeast Wales.

So far volunteers have been trained in the role of the HER and the planning process.  They have also learnt how to search the records, identify existing sites and add new data to the system.  Volunteers have learnt about the different types of reports that exist such as desk-based assessments, evaluations and excavations and how to choose the relevant information to add to the record.

Our volunteers have been very busy and we would like to thank everyone for their hard work!!  

Rachel Bowden, Project Archaeologist GGAT