Lloyd Hughes of Mildenhall and District Museum has taken on the role Area Coordinator for BAFM. He explains how the organisation could help your museum:
“The present financial climate, indeed the financial climate for the past few years, has meant many organisations and charities have been under strain as sources of income have slowly dried up. Smaller Museums and Galleries right across Britain are becoming increasingly subject to these financial pressures and are being forced to become financially self-reliant. Many who used to depend upon local authority help are already in that position as government budgets and grants are aimed more towards what might be seen as necessities rather than cultural ends.”
“With that in mind the organisations of Friends of Museums are more and more the source of extra income for some, providing an essential element in the museum’s struggle for survival. Museums vary greatly in size and scope, in the nature of their collections and funding, but there are certain qualities that good museums have in common and that is that they have a wide appeal. With more than 50% of the population visiting museums and galleries every year it becomes obvious that they are a focus, among other things, of both education and enjoyment.”
“As people relate to museums so museums depend on people, as visitors, supporters and volunteer helpers. The first such group in the UK to use the word Friends was formed at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge in 1909. Since then such groups have been formed in most museums. They have developed spontaneously in response to a joint perception by local people and management that the museum needs this sort of organised support. And museums have benefitted in consequence.”
“An essential factor in the success of a Friends Group is to have good relations with the Curator and other museum staff. This works both ways as the Friends should be supportive across a whole range of the museum’s collections and activities, constructive in any suggestions they make without being busybodies. Many Friends groups see their main purpose as providing a bridge between the museum and the community, making it less formal and more congenial to ordinary visitors. It’s good for Friends to involve as many members as possible in active participation, whether working in the museum as volunteers or helping to run events. They can organise visits to other venues, collections and sometimes get admittance to private collections.”
“BAFM is the largest group of museum users, supporters and volunteers in Europe to whom it provides invaluable help, advice, information and encouragement. Very many museums in Suffolk already belong to this organisation but it may be worth while for any that do not to perhaps investigate whether this might help them in any way.”
“As the Area Co Ordinator for BAFM I would be happy to answer any queries you may have on this subject. Contact museums@suffolk.gov.uk to be put in touch with me. I volunteer at Mildenhall and District Museum and we would be delighted to see visitors who are volunteers from other museums, especially those within our county.”