Volunteering in the HER by Richard Wilks

I started my placement in the HER in mid-end of July in order to gain some valuable work experience.  Charina and Leonora, staff members of the HER, were welcoming and supportive as I tried to learn the system.  The HER and Map info systems were daunting at first, but I eventually got the hang of them.  Feedback is given in a non-intimidating manner and this encourages you to try harder for the next report.

My initial placement was set to finish at the end of September, but this was voluntarily extended to the end of October and now to the end of November.

Have I been captured?

Richard Wilks, A2A Volunteer

Volunteering in the HER by Mark Chambers

I started volunteering with the GGAT towards the end of August 2013, as part of their ongoing Access to Archaeology Programme. On my first day I was welcomed in by Leonora who kindly gave me a tour of the building and introduced me to many of her co-workers. The first main task I was given was entering information from standard grey literature reports onto the new, accessible, electronic HER database. At first it seemed like a lot to take in and I was slow and hesitant in working my way through the reports. But thanks to the clear instructions provided and help from the GGAT staff I was eventually able to get to grips with HER software and the data entry process. My role as a volunteer at GGAT was not limited to entering reports however. Other responsibilities included filling, scanning and the use of a mapping programme.

During my voluntary placement I was supervised by GGAT staff members Charina and Leonora who were always willing to help, answering my many questions with remarkable patience. In fact all the GGAT staff members I met were welcoming and polite in what seemed to be a friendly, informal working environment. Because a job opportunity presented itself, I had to cut my voluntary placement short to 5 days, spread over 5 weeks. Nevertheless, I feel like I benefited from the experience, honing my office based skills and increasing my IT confidence. I would certainly recommend a voluntary placement at GGAT to anybody who wants to gain some hands on work experience to boost their employability or those who just want to learn more about local history and how archaeological sites are recorded.      

Mark Chambers, A2A Volunteer     

Volunteering in the HER by Megan Leppard

I have just finished volunteering at GGAT in the Access to Archaeology project. My main reason for participating in this project was in order to gain valuable work experience in the area of archaeology. Whilst volunteering I was given training on how to use the Historic Environment Record (HER) database and was  taught how to add and update archaeological sites and events. At first there was a lot of information to take in at once but with the continued support of Charina and Leonora I became confident enough to do it by myself very quickly.

I am very glad that I was part of this project as I was able to learn more about archaeology in my area and was able to provide and preserve this information for future generations.  All the staff and volunteers at the GGAT were extremely friendly and helpful and I enjoyed my time there. 

Megan Leppard, A2A Volunteer

Volunteers needed - apply now! ¦ Mae angen gwirfoddolwyr

Due to the success of our first year, recruitment is now in progress for our second year of the Access to Archaeology volunteer project.  If you or anyone you know may be interested in this project (between the ages of 18 to 30), just download a volunteer pack to apply.   You could help us by advertising the project, please download, circulate and display our leaflets or if you would like us to send printed copies then please contact us at her@ggat.org.uk. Closing date 5pm Monday 3rd June 2013.

O ganlyniad i lwyddiant ein blwyddyn gyntaf, recriwtio yn awr ar y gweill ar gyfer ein hail flwyddyn y prosiect Mynediad i wirfoddolwyr Archaeoleg.  Os oes gennych chi, neu unrhyw un rydych chi’n eu hadnabod, ddiddordeb yn y prosiect hwn (rhwng oed 18-30), llwythwch i lawr becyn gwirfoddolwyr er mwyn ymgeisio.  Gallech ein helpu ni drwy hysbysebu’r prosiect – llwythwch ein taflenni i lawr, rhannwch nhw ac arddangoswch nhw, neu os hoffech i ni anfon copïau wedi’u hargraffu atoch chi, cysylltwch â ni drwy her@ggat.org.uk. Dyddiad cau dydd Llun 3 Mehefin 2013, 5yp.

Thank you!

To all the volunteers in the Access to Archaeology Project,
Thank you so much for your hard work on the project. It has been a great success. Everyone can see the results of their work on Archwilio www.archwilio.org.uk.
Thanks to Cadw, we have secured extra funding for the work to continue this summer and we will be looking for new recruits to join those of you who have asked to continue with the work.
I'm so glad you all enjoyed the project and that some of you are going to come back to work on Stage 2!
We look forward to seeing you again soon, and once again thank you!

Charina Jones HER Manager

Volunteering in the HER

I have been part of a group of volunteers on the Access To Archaeology Project which has been updating the Historic Environment Record (HER) database.  We  were intially given training explaining how the HER worked and how to amend and update its records.  Since then we have been adding records of archaeological events such as excavations, in particular those caused by planning applications which had not previously been included in the HER. 

The work has been very interesting and although the software seemed quite complex in the beginning, but with the help of Charina and Rachel we are all getting more familiar and proficient when using it now.  I have enjoyed being part of the project which has  given me a better understanding of the archaeology of South Wales and of the working of the Trust.

Isobelle Davis, Volunteer

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