Helpdesk

Iplicit

FuseMetrix

Planday

My ePayWindow

Intranet

Author: IT Team

  • Blue Monday 💙

    Blue Monday 💙

    Blue Monday is a term used to describe what is often called the most depressing day of the year, usually falling on a Monday in January.

    January can feel long, the weather can be grey, and energy levels can dip. While “Blue Monday” isn’t a scientific concept, it can still be a helpful reminder to pause, check in with ourselves, and look out for one another.

    If today feels a bit heavier than usual, please remember you’re not on your own and support is available:

    • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Confidential support for personal, emotional, or practical concerns. You can access this anytime – details are available on the intranet.
    • Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA): Our trained MHFAs are available for a confidential, informal conversation if you’d like to talk things through.
    • People Team: If work or personal circumstances are affecting you, the People Team is here to listen and help explore supportive options.

    You might also want to:

    • Take a short break if you can
    • Step away from your screen
    • Grab a coffee or a glass of water
    • Get some fresh air or stretch your legs
    • Check in with a colleague

    Small pauses can make a difference.

    Please take care of yourselves and each other, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support – today or any other day. 💙

  • Pam Ryan Funeral Procession

    Back in December, we shared the sad news that our former colleague, Pam Ryan, had passed away. Pam’s funeral is due to take place on 3 February 2026.

    For colleagues working that day, and for those not working who wish to come in and to pay their respects as the hearse passes the Museum, you are welcome to congregate along the 30s Street between approximately 10:00 and 10:30am.

  • Glad Tidings – Colleague Survey

    Glad Tidings – Colleague Survey

    Thank you to everyone who participated in our Glad Tidings Nights. We’ve had some brilliant feedback from our visitors, and now we need to hear from you!

    Please take a few minutes to fill in our colleague survey to tell us what you think by clicking here.

    What we did well:

    “Everything was just perfect. The music was really spread out across the site and at regular times so we managed to see everything. The atmosphere was lovely and festive. Things were easy to find, good organisation. The people in the shops and houses were friendly and chatty. Just an all round enjoyable experience. A great start to Christmas week!”

    Visitors repeatedly mentioned that they enjoyed the festive atmosphere and decoration, spending time with family and friends, and the variety of music.

    • 66% Overall Satisfaction Rating
    • 72% of visitors agreed or strongly agreed that this was an immersive experience.
    • 74% Food & Drink Satisfaction Rating
    • 89% of visitors used the map during their visit, with a satisfaction rating of 81%

    “The understanding and support you provide for SEN children. Absolutely amazing and incredibly accommodating. It’s one of the best places we have been for this.”

    “It was all wonderful. Very festive and in particular the Gospel choir in the church were incredible and the bluebird Belles were amazing too. That really made our night . It was a really magical atmosphere and we shall definitely book next year”

    What can we learn?

    In general, visitors commented on the business of site and queues for food and entertainment, as well as site orientation in the dark and generally.

    Some comments regarding the boat dock being closed & therefore the brass band replacing the Crooners in the WI.

    There are some comments that mention access requirements not being met, especially in relation to parking.

    Well done to all teams and please do complete the survey. For any specific questions on the programme or feedback, please email [email protected]

  • Dog Trial – extension until February Half Term

    Dog Trial – extension until February Half Term

    Following the launch of our dog days trial in November, we will soon be reviewing the range of feedback and data that we have received which will inform our decision about future dog days. This includes feedback from colleagues, operational observations and feedback from visitors both on site and via online channels.

    We will be extending the current trial until Thursday 12 February. This will give us time to review the data thoroughly, as well as collect more data and feedback, to help us make a decision about next steps.

    Please note that this is an extension of the current trial and not an implementation of a permanent decision. We want to ensure that the trial has been as complete as possible to ensure we are making an informed judgement about how to proceed.

    Additional dog dates will be on:

    • Sunday 25 January
    • Thursday 29 January
    • Sunday 1 February
    • Thursday 5 February
    • Sunday 8 February
    • Thursday 12 February
  • January Reset 2026 Brochure

    January Reset 2026 Brochure

    With Storm Goretti now behind us, we’re pleased to confirm that, this week, January Reset 2026 is going ahead as planned.

    Our ‘All Colleague Core Days’ are taking place on Tuesday 13, Tuesday 20, and Thursday 22 January 2026. Join us for an All Colleague Briefing led by Andrew Lovett OBE (Chief Executive), followed by Strategic Directions and Action Planning sessions delivered by the Leadership Team and Heads of Teams. We are also delighted to welcome a series of guest speakers, as well as West Midlands Police who will be delivering ACT Awareness training, on each of the Core Days. We will conclude the day with a session about the Bostin Promise, led by Heads of Teams.

    A range of other training opportunities, including essential training sessions for colleagues in visitor-facing roles, have also been programmed across the January Reset period.

    Many of you will have already been booked onto sessions by your line manager. If you are unsure which training you are signed up for, or have not yet been scheduled for any training, please contact your line manager directly.

    Full details, including locations and the full timetable, are available in the January Reset event brochure.

  • Important information – Museum weather plans Thursday 8th and Friday 9th January

    Important information – Museum weather plans Thursday 8th and Friday 9th January

    Thursday 8 January – Museum OPEN

    The Museum will be open to all colleagues as normal. We are aware of deteriorating weather towards the end of the day, with a yellow warning of snow starting at 5pm. The weather forecast will be monitored carefully throughout today, and the decision will be taken to close early for all colleagues should it become necessary. If this is the case affected colleagues unable to continue working at home will be receive their full pay for the remainder of their shift, with these hours being offset according to the Museum’s Closure Policy.

    Any colleague’s individual working-from-home arrangements for today should have been discussed with their line manager as routine.

    What about the Historic Character training on Thursday 8 January?

    Colleagues should have attended today’s training as scheduled at 9am. The afternoon session of this training is being re-scheduled to Monday 19 January. Colleagues will be paid for their full day’s shift, with the paid afternoon hours offset towards the re-scheduled Monday 19 January session.

    Friday 9 January – Museum CLOSED

    Due to an overnight amber weather warning of snow leading into Friday, the decision has been taken to close the Museum entirely on Friday 9th January. No colleagues are to attend the Museum on Friday 9th January, except for a handful of individuals that will be communicated with directly.

    What does it mean for my shift when the Museum is closed on Friday?

    • Salaried staff with the means to work from home should do so.
    • Contracted or hourly-paid staff may have their shifts moved to the following week where possible or be offered annual leave. If neither is possible, you will either:
      • Be paid and make up the hours later (for example, during training or work), or
      • Have the shifts processed as unpaid leave.

    Please speak with your manager to agree how this will be processed.

    • Casual colleagues will have their shifts cancelled. As per the terms of casual agreements for shift cancellations with over 24 hours’ notice, these cancelled shifts will be unpaid.

    Should anything change regarding today, based on updated to weather, further communication will be issued.

    Thank you.

    The Museum Team.

  • Our Board of Trustees

    Our Board of Trustees

    Unfortunately, because of competing circumstances, Professor Martin Levermore regrets that it is no longer within reach to continue as Chair of Black Country Living Museum. Martin is deeply disappointed by this, and wishes the Museum continued success as a key anchor institution in the region. The Museum wishes Martin well with his other regional responsibilities and his interest in the value of the Museum to the Black Country.

    The Museum is pleased that existing Trustee Duncan Bedhall will Chair the Board of Trustees, as he did so ably in 2025. Duncan is supported by fellow Trustees Jonathan Badyal and Caroline Southall as Deputy Chairs, ahead of a new search for a Chair later in 2026.

  • Museum access: Tuesday 6 January

    Museum access: Tuesday 6 January

    With sub-zero temperatures forecast overnight again tonight, we will be continuing our recommendation that any non-essential colleagues should work from home where possible tomorrow (Tuesday 6 January).

    For anyone that needs to be at the Museum to carry out their work, please take extra care when walking through site. Stick to gritted paths only. It is not currently advisable to walk along roads around the Museum. Teams have prioritised gritting pathways to key locations at the Museum. As best as you are able, please remain in one place for the day and avoid unnecessary walking across the site.

    If you must be on site, and are able to come in later, we recommend that you make your journey after the morning rush hour. Not only will this give the Museum team more time to prepare the site, but main driving routes should also be clearer.

    The following training sessions that were scheduled for Tuesday 6 January have been postponed to Wednesday 14 January:

    • Museum Social Media
    • Volunteer Manager Training

    Anyone who was booked on to these sessions has been contacted directly. If you have any questions about training sessions please contact [email protected].

  • Colleague Consultative Forum (CCF) – Vacancies

    Colleague Consultative Forum (CCF) – Vacancies

    Due to recent leavers, the conclusion of an elected representative’s term, and the Visitor Welcome & Admissions and Volunteer constituencies remaining unfilled, there are a number of vacancies on the CCF.

    We would therefore like to invite nominations for the following constituent posts;

    • 1 x Historic Characters
    • 1 x Visitor Welcome & Admissions
    • 1 x Volunteers

    (Please note that participation of volunteers on the CCF remains on a voluntary basis)

    The CCF plays a key communication and discussion role in many significant matters affecting all colleagues across the Museum. Further information on the role of the CCF can be found in the Colleague Consultative Forum Constitution Terms of Reference.

    If you would like to be considered as a CCF Representative, you will need a colleague from the same constituency as you to propose your nomination and the name of another colleague, again within the same constituency, who seconds the nomination. Unsure about which Constituency you fall under? Find out here.

    The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2026. Elections will be held following this date if we have multiple candidates for a single role. In the event that a candidate for nomination is unopposed, their constituents will be invited to endorse their candidature.

    To put yourself forward, please complete and return a nomination form (which can be found here) to the People team (based above Hartills) either by hand, deposited in the black post box at the bottom of Hartills stairs, or via email to [email protected].

    All employees (who have successfully completed their probationary period) are eligible to apply, with the exception of the Leadership Team. Casual workers may only apply to represent the Casuals constituency and Volunteers may only apply to represent the Volunteers constituency. In the interest of ensuring a cross representation of the Museum, the 2 representatives in the Casual and Volunteer constituencies cannot be from the same team.

    As a reminder, the current CCF Representatives are:

    Constituency Representative(s)
    Salaried Tracy Ledward

    Lisa Bate
    Historic Characters Emily Banks

    Greg Dunn*

    Bryce Bealey
    Visitor Welcome & Admissions 1 x vacancy
    Enterprise Lisa Evans
    Cleaning & Recycling Drew Rhodes
    Casuals Kit Proctor

    Mitchel Robinson
    Volunteers Karen Griffiths

    1 x vacancy
    *Constituent post up for nomination.

     

  • People News – December 2025

    People News – December 2025

    Welcomes

    In December, we were delighted to welcome Clare Channells to the Museum as a Team Manager in the Historic Character Team.

    If you see Clare around the site, please do say hello and offer a warm welcome.

    Farewells

    This month we have bid farewell to Samina Shabir, Team Manager (Historic Characters), who has moved on to pastures new with Merlin at Cadbury World.

    We thank Samina for their support during their time with us.

    Sadly Departed

    It is with great sadness that we have to share that former colleague, Pam Ryan, passed away on 6th December 2025. Pam had previously worked for Black Country Museum for 15 years before leaving in 2016.