This Is Us: Volunteer Digital Champions
Manchester Histories is looking for Digital Champions to join This Is Us, an exciting community-led storytelling project celebrating the people, places, and experiences that make Manchester unique.
Job details
Contract
Temporary
Closing date
September 1, 2026
About the Role
As a volunteer Digital Champion, you will help people across Manchester preserve and share the stories that matter to them. Supporting This Is Us: Tracing Manchester’s Histories, you’ll be working with local communities, cultural organisations, researchers, and sector practitioners as part of a community-led storytelling project dedicated to preserving and celebrating Manchester’s diverse histories.
Your role will support participants to contribute their stories, capture memories, and record oral histories for sharing on our growing digital platform. Your contributions will play an important part in the platform’s long-term sustainability and help create an accessible and inclusive historical record that recognises the people, places, and communities that have shaped this city.
Whether you’re passionate about local histories, heritage, or content creation, this is an opportunity to develop new skills while gaining valuable experience in digital storytelling, oral histories, recording techniques, and community engagement.
No experience is needed to apply for this role. Before you begin volunteering, you’ll take part in a free training and induction programme delivered by Manchester Histories staff and experienced practitioners from the heritage, cultural, and community sectors.
Through a combination of practical workshops and hands-on activities, you’ll learn how to:
- Use recording equipment and digital storytelling tools
- Record and preserve oral histories
- Conduct engaging interviews and produce engaging stories
- Work ethically with lived experiences, including consent and safeguarding
- Build confidence supporting communities to share their stories
- Develop inclusive approaches to storytelling and community engagement
By the end of the programme, you’ll have the confidence and practical skills needed to become a Digital Champion – supporting people to record, preserve, and share the stories that matter to their communities.
Digital Champion Training
Training will take place every Saturday in the Manchester Histories Hub, Manchester Central Library from 12 September to 7 November 2026.
To help you get the most out of the experience, we encourage volunteers to attend all training sessions where possible. Please consider your availability for these sessions before applying.
Our training programme will cover the following:
Saturday 12 September
Meet the project team, explore the aims of This Is Us, and discover how Digital Champions help communities collect, record and share oral histories.
Saturday 19 September
Learn how to work respectfully with people’s stories through best practice in consent, confidentiality, safeguarding and creating safe, inclusive spaces.
Saturday 26 September
Discover what makes stories engaging and meaningful while learning how to keep each storyteller’s voice at the heart of the process.
Saturday 3 October
Gain hands-on experience using recording equipment, performing audio quality checks, and preparing for interviews.
Saturday 10 October
Develop practical interviewing techniques and learn how to ask thoughtful, open questions that encourage people to share their experiences.
Saturday 17 October
Explore identity, culture and representation, and learn how to approach every story with care, empathy and respect.
Saturday 24 October
Build confidence through practical recording exercises and troubleshoot potential challenges in a supportive environment.
Saturday 31 October
Practice effective communication, learn how to build trust with community groups, and support people before, during and after storytelling sessions.
Saturday 7 November
Celebrate your achievements, reflect on your learning and explore opportunities to continue your journey in community storytelling.
Person Specification
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. You don’t need any formal qualifications or previous experience to become a Digital Champion. We’re looking for people who are enthusiastic, curious, and committed to helping preserve Manchester’s stories.
We want to hear from you if you:
- Have an interest in Manchester’s histories, heritage, and communities.
- Believe in the importance of inclusion, diversity, and representation.
- Are passionate about helping communities share and celebrate their lived experiences.
- Enjoy meeting people and listening to their stories.
- Are keen to learn new skills, particularly in digital storytelling and oral histories.
- Are comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
- Are reliable and able to commit to the training programme and volunteer activities.
Experience in storytelling, community engagement, heritage, digital media, or volunteering is welcome, but not essential. Full training and ongoing support will be provided throughout the project.
How to Apply
Follow the link below to complete the online application form.
Applications close: Tuesday 1 September 2026, 5:00pm.
This Is Us Digital Champion Application Form
Need an alternative way to apply?
If you’d prefer to submit your application in another format (such as audio or video), or if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Jess@manchesterhistories.co.uk.
We’re committed to creating an accessible and inclusive volunteering experience and are happy to discuss how we can support you.
This Is Us: Tracing Manchester’s Histories is a project by Manchester Histories, made possible thanks to generous support and funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Manchester City Council, UK Government, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
