This blog has described many of the various activities and
duties in which volunteers are involved at the British Motor Museum. One group that
has so far avoided the spotlight is the Outreach and Presentation team,
volunteers who are becoming more and more active in the local community.
Formed in 2015, the original function of the group was to
visit local clubs, societies and institutions etc. where presentations focussed
on the promotion of the refurbishment of the main Museum, plus the construction
and subsequent opening of the new Collections Centre. Known then as just the
Presentation team, it comprised of about eight volunteers.
Some of the team at a
recent training meeting
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As part of the Museum’s commitment to help and become
involved in the local community, in 2017 the group evolved into the Outreach
and Presentation team – currently comprising around 14 volunteers. The Outreach
programme is where between three and four volunteers visit outside
organisations where, in the majority of cases, their members need special care
and attention. These will typically be; dementia cafés, Alzheimer’s Society
groups, and care homes, as well as isolation and wellbeing and mental health
groups – people for whom a visit to the Museum itself may not be practical or
desirable.
The Museum, as you would expect, has a huge collection of
motoring memorabilia, so it’s a selection of some of the most interesting items
that we take with us to show these groups. Their reaction has really proved the
worth of these visits. Often, even the more mundane items, will bring back
memories or stimulate conversation and interest. Also the chance to hold and
look through items such as old driving licences and pre and post war car
publicity photos, plus examples of old and modern car parts, nearly always
manages to inspire a story from the audience.
A small selection of
some of the items
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As an alternative to us going out to visit groups, we can also arrange and accommodate special group visits to the Museum itself. All our usual memorabilia items will be available to view, as well as a guided tour of sections of the Museum. Refreshments can be provided if required and the Museum is well equipped and designed for wheelchair use.
The team in action at
what is a relatively small group
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We’ve attended around 75 visits since the programme started
and are likely to end up visiting around 40 this year alone. The visits
normally last about an hour and we can attend any suitable venue within about
an hour’s drive from the Museum in Gaydon. Another attraction to a couple of
our recent visits has been our restored 1960 Standard Ensign. When available,
this provides a great chance to remind people what sixties motoring was like
and how basic most cars of that age were.
Our restored Standard
Ensign brings back memories of sixties motoring
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The group’s next project will be a re-launch of their original Museum presentation to local organisations etc., but with the added bonus of a short talk on one of three motor related subjects. These are likely to be about the Mini, British sports cars and the evolution of the British motor industry.
As a result of these new initiatives and the growth in the number of requests we’re now receiving we need more volunteers. So, if any existing volunteers want to join the team, or anyone else reading this is interested in becoming part of the team, then please get in touch with our volunteer coordinator Sonja Dosanjh on 01926 927820. Further details can be found at the bottom of this website page https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/about-us/get-involved/current-vacancies
Further information and booking details for visits can be
obtained from Emma Rawlinson, Family and Lifelong Learning Officer on 01926
927823