Zoe Umpleby

Zoe Umpleby is a museum professional with over 15 years’ experience in the heritage sector. She has worked with a variety of organisations, including the National Trust, military museums, and independent industrial heritage sites, gaining experience in volunteer management, visitor engagement, and public programming. She currently works at the National Museum of the Royal Navy as a Volunteer Development Partner, overseeing the strategic volunteer programme across the museum collective, and as a Public Programming Producer, developing and delivering events, group visits, and outreach.

Zoe is undertaking a PhD at the University of Winchester, researching the wellbeing of veteran volunteers in military museums — an emerging area of study. She is passionate about sharing this research with museum and heritage professionals and supporting veterans, hoping to provide insights that enhance volunteer experiences and wellbeing.

Zoe Umpleby will be speaking at the Museum Wellness Summit 2026:

The Wellbeing Impact of Museum Volunteering on Veterans

How does volunteering support the wellbeing of Royal Navy veterans? This talk presents new research exploring the experiences of veterans who volunteer in a naval museum. Drawing on personal interviews and lived experiences, it offers fresh insight into how volunteering provides purpose, connection, and identity after service, and how these experiences influence wellbeing. The talk also highlights what veterans’ stories reveal about life in a museum, including the frustrations and challenges that can sometimes test wellbeing, and demonstrates how, through volunteering, the spirit of the Royal Navy continues to endure long after active service ends.