Job Description

FHASS Exclusive Internship: Community Heritage Project Assistant - Library 'Memory Box' Development
Closing Date: 25/01/2026
12.21 per hour + 1.47 holiday pay
Advertising End Date
25 Jan 2026

• FHASS Exclusive Internship: Community Heritage Project Assistant - Library 'Memory Box' Development

Role & Department Overview
Please note: this internship is only available to current students registered on a degree scheme in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University. If you apply for this role the information within your application will be shared with the recruiting organisation.
is a Development Education Centre, established in Lancaster in 1993 with the mission to promote 'creative learning and action for a just and sustainable world.' We run participatory projects, workshops, exhibitions and training with schools, colleges, youth groups and the wider community in the areas of community heritage and global education. We also provide a range of support services and integration activities for refugees and asylum seekers. Our work is underpinned by the global citizenship goals of social justice, human rights and sustainable development.
This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience in community heritage engagement as part of 'Carnforth Library: 1936-2026 and Beyond', a National Lottery Heritage Fund project delivered by Global Link. The project is uncovering the fascinating history of Carnforth Library and its role at the heart of the community since it first opened in 1936. As the library approaches its 90th birthday, the project is engaging a wide range of local people to help research, record and celebrate its story. We are now looking for a volunteer assistant to help develop a 'library memory box' as a creative, multisensory resource inspired by community memories and research. The memory box will help bring Carnforth's library heritage (and library heritage more generally) to life, encouraging reminiscence and connection, particularly among older people. This is an outstanding opportunity to gain experience in heritage engagement, community outreach and collaborative research. There will also an opportunity to pilot the memory box with a group of older people in Carnforth.
Please submit a CV (maximum of two sides) and a Cover Letter (maximum one side) both tailored to the role.
Preferred Start Date: 16 February 2026 TBC
End Date: 17 April 2026 TBC
Interview Date: TBC likely w/c 9 February 2026
Working Hours / Pattern: 7.5 hours per week to be agreed with employer (40 hours in total for the internship)
Location: Hybrid remotely (in the UK) and at the premises of an external employer (Carnforth Library)
Keyboard Shortcuts

• F9 - Move focus from the edit area to the Footer Toolbar
• F10 - Move focus from the edit area to the first toolbar button
• Shift + TAB - Move focus from the edit area to the last toolbar button

• Support the development of a library memory box inspired by community research and personal memories
• Assist with gathering, organising and interpreting historical materials related to library heritage
• Help engage local residents in sharing memories and stories
• Contribute to collaborative heritage research alongside project staff and volunteers
• Prepare materials and resources for community outreach and reminiscence activities
• Help pilot the memory box with a group of older people in Carnforth and gather feedback

Keyboard Shortcuts

• F9 - Move focus from the edit area to the Footer Toolbar
• F10 - Move focus from the edit area to the first toolbar button
• Shift + TAB - Move focus from the edit area to the last toolbar button

Person Specification

• Strong communication skills: ability to engage with a wide range of people

Research skills: basic experience or interest in researching historical materials or community histories
Creativity: ability to contribute ideas for the development of the memory box, with a focus on making it multisensory and engaging
Organisational skills: ability to manage materials and resources for the project, ensuring they are well-organised and accessible
Empathy and sensitivity: comfortable working with older people and those with diverse backgrounds and experiences
Teamwork: willingness to collaborate with other volunteers, staff and community members to achieve project goals * Attention to detail: ensuring accuracy when handling historical materials and documenting research
Working in this role will help develop the following skills and experience:

• Research
• Creativity
• Curiosity
• Interpersonal sensitivity
• Verbal communication
• Written communication

You are required to submit a cover letter to support your application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Please note: Unless specified otherwise in the advert wording, this role is only open to individuals living in the UK.
Under the terms of this work, we endeavour to provide the advertised number of hours however, hours are not guaranteed and that work may cease if there is a fall in demand.
Adverts that display a closing date should be treated as a guide. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
Keyboard Shortcuts

• F9 - Move focus from the edit area to the Footer Toolbar
• F10 - Move focus from the edit area to the first toolbar button
• Shift + TAB - Move focus from the edit area to the last toolbar button

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Skills Required