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  • Neurodiversity survey

    Neurodiversity survey

    The Health and Wellbeing group has designed a survey to better understand the unique perspectives and experiences within our workforce. The goal is to identify opportunities for support, training, and deeper awareness of everyone’s needs, values, and emotions. We’re also keen to explore how neurodiversity may impact individuals—whether it’s yourself, a family member, a friend, or a colleague.
    This survey is 100% ANONYMOUS, we will not be able to see any names or teams.
    Please, scan the QR code below to participate. 
    Neurodiversity survey
  • Save like Lisa with Perkbox!

    Save like Lisa with Perkbox!

    Over the past 12 months, Perkbox has helped our colleagues save an impressive total of £8,744.77 through gift cards and discount vouchers, easing the cost of living.

    As part of Reset, we spoke with Lisa Bate, who saved an incredible £500 using Perkbox. Here’s what she had to say:

    “In the past 12 months, I’ve saved £500 using Perkbox by getting discounts on items I was already planning to buy at my regular shops like Tesco, M&S, and Asda. The process is simple: at the till, I check the Perkbox app for available discounts, buy a voucher for the exact amount I need (down to the penny where possible), and scan it to save instantly. Savings might seem small—like £2.47 off a £35 M&S shop—but they add up quickly. My favourite discounts are supermarkets (4–7%), plus stores like Primark (7%), IKEA (5%), and Currys (6%). While the app makes saving easy, watch out for weak internet signals when downloading vouchers, and remember refunds go back onto gift cards. It’s become a fun challenge to see how much I can save every time I shop—good luck saving in 2025!”

    If you’re interested in signing up or would like a demo, please visit Susannah Green in the People & Culture Office. Don’t miss out on these fantastic benefits!

  • Volunteer Reset session

    Volunteer Reset session

    All volunteers are invited to attend this year’s Volunteer Reset session. Join us to find out more information on the following:
    • Update from our Chief Executive on last year and outlook for the year ahead
    • Hear about essential new emergency protocols, safeguarding responsibilities, and reporting harassment
    • Learn about a large and diverse collection of objects that bring Black Country stories to life
    • Enhance your understanding of what the ‘Bostin Promise’ means and how it applies to your daily responsibilities
    Date: Monday 10 February 2025
    Time: 10am-1pm (hot drinks available from 9.30am)
    Location: Hall 2 (Black Country Living Museum)
    Light refreshments (tea/coffee/water) will be available.
    Please contact Ricki at [email protected] or 0121 521 5690 ext. 302 if you have any questions.
  • Irish people in the Black Country – Share your stories!

    Irish people in the Black Country – Share your stories!

    Thanks to everyone who recently attended the Irish Stories workshops during January Reset. For those who weren’t able to attend, the main purpose of the sessions was to introduce some of our interpretation ideas for 2025, and to start collecting stories of Irish people in the Black Country.
    Irish people have been an important part of Black Country history since the nineteenth century. We are aware that many Museum colleagues have connections either through family history or socially with the Irish community in the Black Country, and we would love you to tell us about it! We’re looking for stories, pointers, connections and suggestions.
    If you are interested, please either fill in the questionnaire and drop it off in the Canalside office, or just email us directly at [email protected] or [email protected] (ideally with the subject heading “Irish Stories”).
  • January reset – survey

    January reset – survey

    Dear colleagues,

    A massive thank you to all the presenters for your great contribution during the core Reset days. Your time and effort made a real impact, and we appreciate your support.

    Please find the results of the survey in the following PDF, showing how informative and useful the Reset was for everyone who took part. Your feedback will help shape future sessions, so thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts!

  • People News – January 2025

    People News – January 2025

    Over the last month, we have bid a fond farewell to several colleagues. Katy Jasper, Team Manager (Historic Characters), is embarking on an exciting move overseas. Josh Hughes, Multi-Skilled Maintenance Operative, has taken up a new role in bricklaying, allowing him to focus on his trade.
    Lucas Roberts, Historic Character, Angel Hill, Enterprise Team Member and Aleena Pitt, Enterprise Supervisor, have also left the Museum.
    At the end of this month, we will say goodbye to Rhi Edwards, Development Coordinator, as her fixed-term contract comes to an end. Rhi has contributed in various roles in the Interpretation & Research, and Development teams. She is moving on to a new position with Dudley Canal Trust.
    We wish them all the very best in their future endeavors.

     

  • Christmas programmes – Colleague evaluation survey

    Christmas programmes – Colleague evaluation survey

    Thank you so much to everyone who took part in and supported all three of our Christmas programmes – Santa Hunts, Unwrapping and Glad Tidings! All three have had really great visitor feedback, celebrating the work that all teams put in to bring the all important Christmassy feel to the site. We have included an example of one great and one constructive comment for each programme under the headings below.

    As always, your feedback is extremely valuable to us, so please take a few minutes to fill out our colleague survey for each programme (linked under each heading below). 

    Santa Hunts
    Visitor Satisfaction Rating: 89%
    • 89% of visitors felt that they had an opportunity to participate.
    • 95% of visitors felt that the experience was immersive.

    Please share your thoughts on Santa Hunts in our colleague survey.

    Example of visitors’ comments:

    • “The staff were fantastic – so entertaining and interactions with the kids was appropriate and consistence. The actual hunts was so different from last year – makes coming back each year worthwhile.”
    • “I have been on a Santa Hunt at BCLM a few years ago and I felt it was much more authentic as a historical adventure… During this visit, whilst I can appreciate that it needs to change year on year, I felt that we were on the periphery of the real museum. “
    Unwrapping
    Visitor Satisfaction Rating: 93%
    • 87% of visitors felt that they had an opportunity to participate.
    • 95% of visitors felt that they learnt something new about Black Country heritage.
    Please share your thoughts on Unwrapping in our colleague survey.
    Examples of visitors’ comments:
    • “We always enjoy visiting the museum, but Christmas time has that additional charm with the fires and decorations. We particularly enjoyed sitting in the Victorian pub drinking mulled wine with the accordionist playing while sheltering from the rain.”
    • “Some staff seem as if they’re fed up. Family friendly food options when buying a large amount of food. Found the map a little difficult to understand and felt we missed a lot of things.”
    Glad Tidings
    Visitor Satisfaction Rating: 69%
    • 75% of visitors felt that the experience was immersive.
    • 72% of visitors rated the food & drink as excellent or good.
    Please share your thoughts on Glad Tidings in our colleague survey.
    Examples of visitors’ comments:
    • “Myself and my daughter came. What a fantastic evening!! We loved every minute of it, to seeing inside the houses of how Christmas used to be, the Carol Singers, the Gospel Choir were amazing and bought a great atmosphere got everyone up singing and dancing. Food was very reasonably priced and delicious. The atmosphere around the museum was very Chrismassy everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Would definitely visit Glad Tidings again and recommend to family and friends.”
    • “Many of the staff seemed fed up or indifferent about the experience. Those in costume did not take on any kind of persona to convey authenticity of the time for visitors other than one street performer. We couldn’t see the gospel choir as it was full and there were long queues for various places. There was a lack of information regarding the history and culture of Christmas in many of the locations in the museum and I found it very difficult to understand what the difference was between a normal visit and the widely promoted and expensive Christmas experience. We were disappointed.”
  • Dance classes are back!

    Dance classes are back!

    Dance classes are back!

    Sheila will be hosting classes that introduce participants to the joyful art of dancing: tap, free-style, and ballet. The sessions will take place at the Infant Welfare Building and are free of charge.

    The classes will run every Wednesday starting on Wednesday 5 February for six weeks. With sessions scheduled from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Each class is suitable for both beginners and those with some dance experience, guiding you through basic steps as well as more advanced routines.

    Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing such as leggings, joggers, or trousers that allow for easy movement. For the tap classes, Sheila may have a few pairs of tap shoes available for loan, but if you have your own, feel free to bring them. Alternatively, a normal pair of shoes with a sturdy heel, no higher than 3 ½ to 4 cm, will suffice.

    This workshop promises to be a fun and inclusive experience. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to get moving and have fun, see you there!

    If you would like to take part, please be sure to email [email protected] or let Sheila know.

  • Safe together at BCLM: Manual handling safety guidance

    Safe together at BCLM: Manual handling safety guidance

    Manual handling operations are a significant contributor to workplace injuries, ill health, and lost time. Common injuries include muscle and ligament strains, hernias, slipped discs, joint injuries (to the knees, ankles, arms, and shoulders), as well as cuts and bruises to the hands, arms, and feet.

    Employers have a duty, as far as is reasonably practicable, to minimise the need for manual handling where there is a foreseeable risk of injury. To mitigate these risks, mechanical aids such as cranes, forklift trucks (FLTs), sack trucks, and pallet trucks are provided.

    When assigned a task, follow these guidelines to ensure safety:

      • Think and observe: Can I complete this task safely? Do I need extra equipment?
      • Seek advice: Speak to your line manager if you are unsure.
      • Use mechanical aids: Is there a device available to help?
      • Check the environment: Is the area safe to complete the task? Do I need to clear space first?
      • Push, don’t pull: Pushing is generally safer and more effective than pulling.
      • Test the weight: Assess whether assistance is needed.
      • Beware of sharp edges: Ensure the load is safe to handle.
      • Clear the route: Make sure the pathway is free of obstructions.
      • Maintain proper posture:
        • Keep the load close to your body and avoid overreaching or stretching.
        • Breathe normally throughout the task.
      • Use your legs: When lifting or putting down a load, use your leg muscles as instructed during training.
      • Avoid twisting: Keep your shoulders in line with your hips. If turning is necessary, move your entire body.
      • Smooth movements: Avoid jerking motions; aim for controlled and steady actions.
      • Never use untrained equipment: Only operate equipment you are trained to use.

     

  • Discover Dudley employee discount card 2025

    Discover Dudley employee discount card 2025

    The Discover Dudley employee discount card provides offers and incentives across visitor attractions and venues in the Dudley borough. It is valid until 31 December 2025.

    It has been developed to assist frontline staff in learning more about the visitor attractions and tourism businesses within the borough and to cross-promote the visitor attractions to the visiting public at our venues.

    If you would like to apply for a Discover Dudley employee discount card 2025, please complete the Discovery Dudley Card Application Form 2025 – it will need to be signed by your line manager and the People and Culture team, who will then process.