In touch volunteer Programme at Imperial War Museum North and Manchester Museum The In Touch volunteer and training programme was one of the first of its kind in the museum sector. In 2007 The Manchester Museum and IWM North formed a partnership to launch the programme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund for 3 years. The Manchester Museum and Imperial War Museum North both had a long and well established tradition of working with volunteers. Both museums are committed to lifelong learning, community engagement and working with local people in innovative ways. The main aim of the programme is to promote lifelong learning, improve basic skill levels/vocational attainments, open doors to heritage sites and improve quality of life in localities where social and economic deprivation is highest. Most importantly it seeks to develop self-‐esteem, interpersonal skills and confidence combined with literacy skills and core skills to improve quality of life and employability. The core of In Touch was a 10 week Cultural Heritage Course with embedded literacy skills, training in a variety of museum roles and a relevant, informal and enjoyable learning experience. On completion of the programme individuals are able to play an active volunteer role in the delivery of both museums’ visitor provision. Working alongside partners including Salford College, Jobcentre Plus, Refugee Action, Connexions, Mental Health agencies and local community groups the project has supported over 180 individuals from a variety of backgrounds in Greater Manchester. A number of volunteers have gone on to secure sustained employment, many have engaged with further learning and a strong volunteer workforce has been created at both museums. • 79% took the literacy qualification, 95% of whom passed • 41% of volunteers have taken part in further learning on completion of the training programme • 18% of In Touch volunteers have moved on to employment Not surprisingly the In Touch Programme has won many awards. In 2008 it won a Nationwide Community and Heritage Award and in 2009 it won an Adult Learners Week Award for its commitment to providing lifelong learning to volunteers. But more significantly is has succeeded in its ambition to be a model of practice that can be rolled out within other organisations. Victoria Baths Trust, a Heritage Visitor Attraction, has secured funding for a volunteer project called Moving On, modelled on the In Touch programme. Further information Danielle Garcia, Volunteer Programme Manager, Imperial War Museum North, dgarcia@iwm.org.uk http://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/community/volunteer/ Kate Glynn, Volunteer Assistant , Manchester Museum, kate.glynn@manchester.ac.uk or tel: 0161 306 1773 A downloadable PDF ‘in touch Volunteer Programme’ is available here http://north.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00c00l
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