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  • All Colleague Briefings – September 2026

    All Colleague Briefings – September 2026

    As part of our continual programme of ensuring engagement and communication across the Museum’s operational and strategic activity, we will be holding briefings to update all colleagues on the Museum’s progress for 2026.

    These briefings will all take place in the Workers Institute on:

    • Tuesday 15 September
    • Thursday 17 September
    • Saturday 19 September

    All the briefings will commence at 9am, finishing at 9.30am.

    • Many of you will already be scheduled by your line managers to attend one of these sessions. If you have not yet been scheduled, please contact your line manager.
    • All contracted colleagues are mandated to attend these sessions. We would also strongly urge colleagues from both our volunteer and casual community to all attend.
    • You only need to attend one of the briefing sessions.

    Can you please sign up using the following link: ​​All Colleague Briefing September 2026​​

    Slips will be available for colleagues to submit questions or comments in advance.  These can be submitted anonymously, which is especially helpful for anyone unable to attend or who prefer not to speak up on the day. We will place some in break areas, but they will be available from line managers at morning briefings.

    If you have any trouble signing up for the briefing because you do not have a BCLM email address, please speak to your line manager who will be able to add your name for you.

  • Our Kid of the Month – July The Results!!! 

    Our Kid of the Month – July The Results!!! 

    Thank you to those of you who took the time to nominate your colleagues for their GREAT contribution to Our Bostin Promise. We received a total of 34 votes from 14 departments.  

    Our Kid 

    • Pete Knowles – Cleaning & Recycling Team

    Pete was nominated by 3 people across 3 teams including his own. He does his own cleaning and supervising the team brilliantly – supporting colleagues on Back to the Floor, but also notices and supports other teams. He takes a proactive approach to making sure the visitor experience is the best it can be – noticing and reporting when things aren’t as they should be or fixing things in an emergency. 

    Runners Up

    • Ciara Costello – Collections & Interpretation; Going over and above for a last minute filming request
    • Andrea Williams – Historic Character; Delivering truly excellent living history interpretation and bouncing back after absence
    • Akriti Athi – Historic Character; For noticing and supporting a colleague in another department struggling
    • Demi Whitehouse – Enterprise; For going out of her way to replace an ice cream for a customer
    • Ziara Mahmood – Enterprise; For her dedication to the new afternoon tea offer
    • Clare Bevin – Enterprise; for helping out colleagues in other teams at a busy time

    Our Bostin Promise Postcards 

    7 postcards were given out this month: 

    • Jess Bently gave George Walker a Care postcard for looking after Charlie Millward’s wife on her visit.
    • Janine Downes gave Ricki Boden a Care postcard for resolving an issue with recruitment – going out of her way to make sure the candidates had a good experience. 
    • David Zebedee (Zeb) gave Dave Field an Own Our Part postcard for his can-do attitude and always putting the visitor first.
    • Melanie Penn gave Kevin Cooksey a Know Our Stuff postcard for looking out for her all day when she wasn’t well.
    • Susannah Green gave Melanie Penn a Know Our Stuff postcard for making the Back to the Floor experience so meaningful.
    • Karen Kennedy gave Luke Whitehouse an Own Our Part postcard for going above and beyond with visitors – making sure a sandwich was made with no butter/marg for an allergic customer.
    • Lisa Edwards gave James O’Toole an Own Our Part postcard for learning the Mine Supervisor role so well – taking on changes and training new colleagues with enthusiasm.  

    A reminder to Managers and Supervisors to give out these postcards when you see exceptional service against one of the pillars of Our Bostin Promise.  

    And to record it Manager/Supervisor – Colleague Recognition Cards – Fill in form  to ensure it is acknowledged. 

    It’s been great to read all the lovely comments and to see a wide range of colleagues being nominated so do take a look. Every nomination submitted for July can be found here; Our Bostin Promise Nominations July 2026

    Voting for August is open! 

    Living the Bostin Promise – Colleague Recognition – Fill in form 

    Or complete a slip and post in the white boxes across all break areas or download here. 

    Reminders 

    • Don’t forget any votes received after midnight on 31st  August will be counted in September – and voting is already open! 
    • A gentle reminder that each colleague should only vote once per month, any votes after the first will be discounted. 
    • You have until 12pm on 31st August to vote. 
    • There will usually be 6 winners in total as long as sufficient nominations per team have been made, the highest scoring being Our Kid of the Month. 2 from Enterprise, 2 from Historic Characters and 2 from all other departments. 
  • Annual Report & Accounts 2025

    Annual Report & Accounts 2025

    Our Annual Report & Accounts for 2025 has now been published.  The full report can be found by clicking the below link.

    Annual Report & Accounts 2025

    You can find out more about the Museum by reading our annual reports, which set out our major achievements, performance, public benefits and future plans. Previous reports are available on our website.

  • Whippy Wednesdays 🍦

    Whippy Wednesdays 🍦

    We’re introducing Whippy Wednesdays for all colleagues!
    Every Wednesday, you can get:
    • A whippy with sauce and kali for £2.00
    • Add a flake for an extra 25p
    That’s just shy of half price exclusively for Museum Colleagues every Wednesday.
    You’ll find the Red & White Whippy Hut in the courtyard between Hobbs and Langers.
    Treat yourself midweek and enjoy a well-earned whippy! 🍦
  • People News July 2026

    People News July 2026

    Welcomes
     

    We are delighted to share that, in July, William Wetherall joined the Maintenance Team as an Apprentice Carpenter.

    We also welcomed Ryan Colton, Katherine Gill, Amelie Edmondson, and Matt Cullane, who all joined the Museum as Historic Characters.

    In addition, Elsie Lane, Sarah Tavered, Codagh O’Dwyer, Ciara O’Dwyer, Dynetta Laird, Megan Cochrane, Noel Clarke, Arsalan Ahmed, Joseph Bates, and Sophie Davis all commenced summer fixed-term contracts as Enterprise Team Members. Dynetta, Megan, Noel, Arsalan, Joseph and Sophie were previously casual workers.

    In addition, we welcomed a number of new casual team members across our Enterprise, Historic Character, and Cleaning & Recycling teams.

    Please join us in giving all our new colleagues a warm welcome when you see them around the site.

    Farewells

    In July, we said goodbye to Matthew Cowpe, Head of Interpretation & Collections, Jake Ensor, IT Apprentice, Kate Goode, Site Cleaner, and Sarah Bunce, Enterprise Team Member.

    We thank them all for their valuable contributions and dedication, and wish them every success and happiness for the future.

    Sadly Departed

    We’re incredibly sorry to share news of the passing of one of our volunteers, Kate Meldon. During her 7 years with the Museum, Kate brought an abundance of knowledge, mostly from personal experience and involvement with the Methodist movement, towards the storytelling of the Gospel Car and Providence Chapel. It’s fair to say that the presence of the Gospel Car on site wouldn’t be what it is today without Kate’s generous contribution.

    It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Brian Marsh. While Brian was not a staff member or volunteer; he was a larger than life character who helped us achieve what we thought was sometimes impossible. He had such a wealth of knowledge and his involvement with Forging Ahead, Joes Tools along with so many other projects such as installing Tommy’s statue will leave a lasting legacy with the Museum.
  • Roadworks on Duncan Edwards Way for the next six weeks from Monday 10 August

    Roadworks on Duncan Edwards Way for the next six weeks from Monday 10 August

    As part of the ongoing construction of Phase Two of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension, there will be a lane closure northbound towards Castlegate from Monday 10 August for 6 weeks. There will be a reduced speed limit in this area to 30 miles per hour.

  • How Bin Ya Survey; Summer 2026

    How Bin Ya Survey; Summer 2026

    Thank you to all colleagues who completed the first ever comprehensive survey of the Museum Team.
    The survey received responses from 149 colleagues, from a total headcount of 546 colleagues. Although we will always want 100% participation, this level of response is strong.  Overall, the findings present a positive picture of engagement, with high levels of pride in the Museum, strong awareness of Museum values and a culture where most colleagues feel respected and able to raise concerns.
    However, alongside these strengths, the survey identifies opportunities to improve communication, strengthen understanding of the Museum’s long-term strategy and broaden recognition across the workforce.
    Headlines
     
    Next Steps
    Beginning with the Leadership Team, these results are now being analysed in more detail to decide how we can build on the positive outcomes and address where improvement is needed.  So watch out for the actions being taken, including a commitment to rerun the survey annually so that we can all track progress.
    Andrew Lovett OBE
    Chief Executive
  • Free NHS Health Checks

    Free NHS Health Checks

    On 4 & 11 November, Your Health Dudley will be onsite, generously offering free Health Checks to colleagues.

    These comprehensive Health Checks include:

    • Height, weight, waist circumference, and BMI measurements
    • Blood pressure check
    • Blood sugar (diabetes) screening
    • Cholesterol check
    • Physical activity, smoking status, and alcohol consumption questionnaires

    The results are used to calculate a cardiovascular risk score, after which personalised advice, support, and signposting to relevant services will be provided based on individual results.

    Eligibility for a Full Health Check

    The full Health Check is available to individuals aged 40–74 who have not been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

    • Coronary heart disease
    • Chronic kidney disease (CKD Stages 3–5)
    • Diabetes
    • Heart failure
    • Previous stroke
    • Peripheral arterial disease
    • Hypertension
    • Familial hypercholesterolaemia
    • Atrial fibrillation
    • Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

    In addition, participants must not currently be prescribed statins or antihypertensive medication.

    Mini Health Checks

    For colleagues outside the eligible age range or those who have been diagnosed with one of the conditions listed above, Mini Health Checks are also available. These include:

    • Height and weight measurements
    • BMI calculation
    • Blood pressure check

    What Happens After the Check?

    Each participant will receive a personal results booklet. A summary of the results will also be sent to their GP to confirm that a Health Check has been completed and, where appropriate, to support any necessary follow-up care.

    Appointment Details

    Each appointment lasts approximately 30 minutes and will take place as follows:

    4 November
    📍Brook Entrance
    🕙 10:00am – 4:00pm

    11 November
    📍 Learning Centre, Classroom 2
    🕘 10:00am – 4:00pm

    How to Book

    If you would like to book a free Health Check, please contact Susannah at [email protected] with your preferred morning or afternoon session, contact number and email. A suitable appointment time will then be allocated to you.

  • 1940s – Staff Survey

    1940s – Staff Survey

    Thank you so much to everyone who took part in and supported our 1940s event this year! We’ve had some really great feedback from visitors! 

                ”As a regular visitor to the 1940s events I really enjoy the totally immersive feeling of stepping back through time.”
     
    As always, your feedback is extremely valuable to us, so please take a few minutes to fill in our colleague survey, here: https://uk.culturecounts.cc/s/5BESje
    In general, visitors gave positive mention to the atmosphere, the live music and dancing, and to how immersive the event felt.
    More constructive comments from visitors mentioned a need for more seating, quality of food and drink in some cases and some requests for more variety of entertainment (not just music).
    • 90% overall satisfaction rating (70% excellent and 20% good)
    • 88% felt that it was an immersive experience
    • 89% felt they had an opportunity to participate
    • 90% satisfaction with food and drink at the event.
        
                ”The best thing about the evening was the vibrant atmosphere, everyone joining in.”
     
            ”We came to celebrate my Mother’s 85th birthday, we could not fault a single thing about the whole evening… My Mother on the way home said it was the best birthday she had ever had!”
     
    Thanks again to all teams. Please fill in the survey and if you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].
  • Kate Meldon (1944-2026)

    Kate Meldon (1944-2026)

    We’re incredibly sorry to share news of the passing of one of our volunteers, Kate Meldon.

    Kate started with the Museum in May 2019 when she joined an informal group specifically to support the development of the Gospel Car interpretation on site.

    During her 7 years with the Museum, Kate brought an abundance of knowledge, mostly from personal experience and involvement with the Methodist movement, towards the storytelling of the Gospel Car and Providence Chapel. It’s fair to say that the presence of the Gospel Car on site wouldn’t be what it is today without Kate’s generous contribution.

    Our thoughts are with Kate’s husband Michael and their family at this sad time.

    If colleagues wish to send their condolences or would like to know the funeral details, please contact the People Team via [email protected] or 0121 557 9643.

    We’d like to remind you that the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available for confidential support from trained professionals. You can contact them directly at any time by calling 0800 756 0861, quoting “Perkbox” and “Black Country Living Museum”.