Welcome to your September Newsletter
|
|
|
Together with partners including Collections Trust, Museum Development North and the South West Fed, today we're launching our autumn SW Museum Skills programme. This year's programme is full of in-person training opportunities in collections care and volunteer management, as well as chances to connect and learn with colleagues across the sector online. We are also re-running our popular Becoming More Welcoming: Foundational Training, but if you've already completed this training then don't forget to take a look at our EDI Roadmap E Learning. |
|
|
|
Legislative Changes for Museums
|
|
|
Martyn’s Law
This new legislation relates to preparedness for public events. The Association of Independent Museums (AIM) has a helpful article on the implications of this legislation for museums. They are hosting a webinar for AIM members on Wednesday 14 October.
Crime and Policing Act 2026
This legislation changes the rules on DBS checks and affects museums involved in 'regulated activities' with children. This government guidance, with examples, is worth reading before you review your safeguarding policies and processes to consider what may need to change.
Checks will now be needed for supervised volunteers engaged in regulated activities with children, as the 'supervision exemption' comes to an end. Remember that 'regulated activity' has a specific legal definition in this context and you'll need to determine whether what your museum does falls into this definition, or not. As always, your policies and processes need to be appropriate for the activities your Museum carries out.
This recent Museums Association article explains things further. Your local Volunteer Centre may also be able to support you. We will also signpost (via this newsletter, our Museum Volunteering Forum and our LinkedIn page) you to any additional useful updates from GEM and Artswork about these changes.
The Employment Rights Act 2025
This is a series of amendments and additions to existing employment legislation. The changes are coming into force at different times, with some already in force and others still to come between now and April 2027.
ACAS has produced a useful summary of all the changes in once place. |
|
|
|
Volunteering Fit for the Future
|
|
|
Are volunteers integral to your museum? If you want to invigorate volunteering at your museum and prepare your museum to try new things such as volunteer recruitment, volunteer support, evaluation and strategic planning, then our Volunteering Fit for the Future programme may be for you! Now in its fourth year, this programme helps to establish what your museum does well and what to focus your volunteering practice on next. If you're unsure where and how to get started with developing volunteering, including securing the resources you need, then consider applying for Volunteering Fit for the Future. We are running two online drop in briefing sessions on Thursday 24 September and Wednesday 30 September, 2pm -3 pm both days where you can find out more and ask any questions you may have. If you are considering applying, it is a good idea to start discussing the programme with your colleagues and your local your local Museum Development Officer now. The application deadline is Thursday 15 October. Places on the programme will be allocated by Monday 2 November. |
|
|
Last year was a busy time for Tavistock Museum. They took part in our Volunteering Fit for the Future programme, and as a result of their work on that programme they applied for a Small Open Grant to help them strengthen their board. One of the resulting changes of strengthening their board was redistributing their volunteers to focus on specific areas. Nicky Glover was tasked with applying for grants and the first one she applied for was the Kathy Callow Legacy Fund to fund their project A Stitch in Time. They were successful in their application! The project celebrated previously un-displayed historic clothing and objects that told the story of Tavistock’s boom period during the mid 19th to early 20th centuries. The grant supported vital conservation work, including the treatment of a historic book and a pair of silk shoes, as well as improvements to environmental conditions to support long-term collections care. Additionally, the grant funded new display resources, protective measures and a children’s interactive game to enhance learning and engagement with the exhibition. The Kathy Callow Legacy Fund, administered by the South West Fed, is a single annual grant of £1,000 towards the cost of care, conservation and display of social history collections, awarded to an Accredited Museum in the South West. The fund is open now for applications and will close on Monday 28 September. |
|
|
|
In this bumper month for Accreditation success, please join us in congratulating the following museums for achieving Accreditation:
|
|
|
GEM Emerging Leaders Programme 2026Applications are now open for GEM’s Emerging Leaders Programme 2026. The Emerging Leaders Programme has been designed for museum professionals who are ready to develop their leadership skills, broaden their strategic thinking and prepare for the next stage of their career. Whether you are looking to take on greater responsibility, lead projects and teams more confidently, or gain a deeper understanding of how organisations operate, this programme offers a supportive space to learn, reflect and grow alongside peers from across the sector. The programme combines practical learning, discussion and reflection, helping participants develop skills and insights that can be applied directly within their own organisations and professional practice. The programme costs £275 for GEM Members, £330 for non-members.
|
|
|
Skills Exchange returns from UK Heritage PulseSkills Exchange is back, connecting heritage organisations with people keen to share their time, skills and expertise. Run by UK Heritage Pulse, the service helps organisations find support in areas including conservation, digital projects, leadership, marketing and other specialist fields. It also gives volunteers, freelancers and sector peers the chance to offer their expertise and connect with organisations looking for support. Listings can be created for both offers and requests. If you create a listing, people will be able to contact you through the website – your contact details remain completely confidential, until you choose to respond.
|
|
|
National Lottery Good Causes: Fund what matters to youThe UK government is seeking people's views on how National Lottery funding for heritage and other good causes should continue to be awarded in the future. This review is about fundamentally re-evaluating how good cause funding is distributed and ensuring that many different voices are heard. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport want to hear what people value in the current system, as well as those areas that could be improved on. This includes views on how good cause funding is distributed, what it is spent on and the experiences of individuals, organisations and communities in accessing or attempting to access funding. This survey takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. You do not need to finish in one go; you can save your progress by closing the window and returning via the link later. The call for evidence will close at midday on Wednesday 23 September 2026.
|
|
|
The Freelands Art Fund AcquisitionThe Freelands Art Fund Acquisition offers grants of up to £60,000 to help museums acquire work by Freelands Award-winning artists. This year the grant will allow museums to acquire photography by Joy Gregory. Through bolstering contemporary collections in the UK, this initiative increases public access to work by women artists and brokers new relationships between artists, organisations, museums and their audiences. Expressions of interest close Friday 15 January 2027.
|
|
|
Garfield Weston FoundationThe Garfield Weston Foundation support a wide range of charities that make a positive difference, working in different sectors in the UK. These include welfare, youth, community, environment, education, health, arts, heritage and faith. Their grants range from £1,000 to several million pounds, depending on each charity’s size and scope of work. Applications are open all year round.
|
|
|
The best ways to get in touch are via the form on our website or by emailing museum.development@bristol.gov.ukIf you think a colleague or friend would like to keep up to date with Museum Development South West, please forward this email or encourage them to join our newsletter by clicking below: |
|
|
Image credits:
- Museum Development South West (MDSW)/ Amanda Harman
- Collections Trust
- MDSW/ Amanda Harman
- Bristol Museums
- Canva
- Kilogramme Animation
- MDSW
- Tavistock Museum
Museum Development South West content: |
|
|
|
|
