Job title: Energy and Heritage Intern – Mid-July start
Reports to: Information & Engagement Manager
Works with: Director, Chairman, staff and volunteers at all levels
Location: 44 Watlington Street, Reading, RG1 4RJ
Hours: Part time, 135 hours over 2 months (3 days per week, 7.5 hours per day)
Salary: £1,648.44
Contract: Fixed term, 135 hours total
Application Deadline: 11:59pm on 1st July 2025
Benefits: a beautiful working environment in an historic building in a central location (with steep stairs!); join a supportive and friendly team; opportunity to get hands-on experience with historical documents and learn something new; gain a wide range of work experience and a reference for future job applications.
About the Role
*This role is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players*
Through our funded Renewable Energy project, Reading emPOWERed, we are telling the stories of the historical development of windpower and waterpower up to the present day, relating these stories to the local area of Reading and encouraging learning and enjoyment of the subject.
As an intern, you will play a key role in creating content for our lottery-funded project, which focuses on the connection between milling, clean energy, and climate change. You'll assist in writing and compiling engaging content for our project magazine, helping to highlight the important links between these areas. Additionally, you will support the development of our WordPress site by producing and editing educational digital content, ensuring it is both informative and visually appealing.
Your tasks will include researching topics related to climate change and the history of renewable energy initiatives in Britain, under the guidance of project staff. You will then transform this research into clear, engaging, and accurate content, suitable for both the general public and targeted community groups. You will also assist in collecting and organizing contributions from volunteers, helping to shape and compile the magazine's content.
Your work will support our provision for local communities, underlining stories of past and present individuals and organisations. The resulting experience will enable us to spread more widely the importance of milling heritage to current and future generations, developing approaches for future projects elsewhere in the UK. We are utilising the project to strengthen the appreciation of renewable energy sources in the fight against global warming and enhance our role as a vibrant, innovative and inclusive gateway to the enjoyment and understanding of all aspects of milling.
You will receive training in how to use specific software, though using the software won’t be your sole responsibility. You’ll also have the opportunity to shadow different staff to learn more about working in heritage.
Responsibilities
The role will give you the responsibilities below. In addition we expect you to express your own views on topics you come across that excite, irritate or even annoy you. If it is important to you, it is important to us. Perhaps together we can break down a few more barriers.
Content Creation:
- Help us create and compile renewable-energy focussed content for our new project magazine.
- Research the history of renewable energy – including local history – using the Trust’s resources as well as those of other groups e.g. Royal Berkshire Archives.
- Write up research into informative and engaging text tailored towards particular audiences.
- Content will be also included on our website (with the possibility that some materials may be printed).
Digital Content Management:
- Help us edit and format renewable-energy content for our Wordpress website
Collaboration:
- Work with various staff members, stakeholders and volunteers
Publicity:
- Help with the lead-up to the launch of the magazine
- Help update the public on the project and promote the work being done, by writing content for blogs, enewsletters and social media, about your work.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Strong research skills with the ability to transform complex topics into clear, engaging, and accessible content for diverse audiences, including the general public and specific community groups.
- Have gained good grades at minimum NVQ 3 courses e.g. A Levels, BTEC, Advanced Diploma Qualification, Foundation Degree, Bachelors Degree.
- Very good standard of written English and very good communication skills.
- Ability to work well with a team as well as showing initiative and self-motivation.
- An interest in history.
- Good organisational skills and ability to work methodically and ask for help when needed.
- Excellent digital literacy, with the ability to proficiently use Office software and quickly adapt to new tools and platforms
- An awareness of the importance of education and engaging people in history in an accessible and inclusive way.
Desirable:
- Experience working/volunteering in the non-profit and/or heritage sector.
- Experience in Wordpress Software
How to Apply
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you’re unsure whether you meet every requirement listed, we still encourage you to apply - we value potential and diverse experiences.
To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter to rachel.riddell@millsarchive.org.
Job Types: Fixed term contract, Internship
Contract length: 2 months
Pay: £91.58 per day
Application question(s):
- What is your level of proficiency in English? (Pick one: Native/Bilingual OR Professional OR Conversational OR None)
- Are you willing to travel to this work's location?
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status?
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 01/07/2025