Author: IT Team

  • Closing date extended – Colleague Consultative Forum (Formerly Staff Consultative Forum)

    Closing date extended – Colleague Consultative Forum (Formerly Staff Consultative Forum)

    Following a review of the Constitution and Terms of Reference, the Staff Consultative Forum has been renamed the Colleague Consultative Forum (CCF) to reflect the decision to include volunteer representatives, in addition to employees and casual workers.

    The Museum recognises that effective and timely communications and consultations with its colleagues (which includes employees, casual workers and volunteers) are an essential part of managing a successful museum and will make a significant contribution to achieving the Museum’s vision and mission.

    Further information can be found in the updated Constitution and Terms of Reference.

    Elected CCF Representatives will come from the following constituents:

    • Salaried 2
    • Historic Characters 3
    • Visitor Welcome & Admissions 1
    • Enterprise 1
    • Cleaning & Recycling 1
    • Casuals 2*
    • Volunteers 2*

    *In the interest of ensuring a cross representation of the Museum, the 2 representatives in these constituencies cannot be from the same team.

    Please note that volunteer and casual representatives may be asked not to attend meetings where matters specific to employees only are to be discussed.

    Due to the introduction of a Volunteers consistency, we would like to invite nominations for volunteer representatives (x 2). In addition there are vacancies in the following constituencies; Salaried (x 1), Enterprise (x 1), Cleaning & Recycling (x 1) and Casuals (x 1). Please note that participation of volunteers on the CCF remains on a voluntary basis.

    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 has been extended to Wednesday 24 July 2024. 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 & Culture team (based at Canalside) either by hand, deposited in the black post box outside the People & Culture office, 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. As a reminder, the current CCF Representatives are:

    Constituency – Representative(s): 

    Salaried: Elizabeth Peters, Lisa Bate*.

    Historic Characters: Emily Banks, Greg Dunn, Matthew Robinson.

    Visitor Welcome & Admissions: Lisa Edwards.

    Enterprise: 1 x vacancy.

    Cleaning & Recycling: 1 x vacancy.

    Casuals: David Ball, 1 x vacancy.

    Volunteers: 2 x vacancy.

    *First term coming to an end therefore constituent post up for nomination.

    Under the terms of the Colleague Consultative Forum Constitution, representatives can stand for two terms. Current representatives who are reaching the end of their first term and would like to stand for another term will be required to complete the usual nomination process and will be subject to election if necessary.

  • Pravās Takeover Day – Programme Overview

    Pravās Takeover Day – Programme Overview

    Pravās Takeover Day is a daytime programme happening on Saturday 20 July, which is a partnership event organised by Jaivant Patel Company.

    The takeover day will feature site tours and free family craft workshops and Garba dance performances across site in various locations. Garba is a dance that honours and celebrates the feminine form of divinity. Traditionally, the dance is performed by women in a circle around a clay lantern with a light inside, called a Garbha deep (“womb lamp”).

    The day will also include a screening of Jaivant Patel Company’s Pravās documentary at 3pm in Hall 2. The documentary is about the migration of the Gujarati Community & The Black Country 1950-1990.

    This project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

  • Inclusive Language Guide Launch

    Inclusive Language Guide Launch

    We are pleased to launch a new guidance document to enable colleagues to feel confident with sharing inclusive stories and engaging in inclusive conversations between colleagues.

    The Inclusive Storytelling Language Guide has been produced and aims to:

    1. Support colleagues with telling stories about a variety of communities and experiences
    2. Ensure all colleagues are using the most up-to-date terms and ensuring consistent language use across the Museum

    As the first part of the launch, managers will have an opportunity to attend support sessions with members of the Inclusive Storytelling Working Group. Subsequently, all colleagues will be provided with a paper copy of the current version of the document during training sessions along with an opportunity to ask any questions in the coming weeks.

    The guide has been written for all colleagues – while it is of particular importance for visitor-facing colleagues, it will be shared with everyone (including volunteers). It is our collective responsibility to ensure it is digested and implemented.

    The guide will always be available to download from the intranet, and paper copies of guides will be stationed in key areas around the Museum. Colleagues are encouraged to contact their line managers with any questions.

    View a copy of the Language Guide

  • Would you like to be a Menopause Champion ?

    Would you like to be a Menopause Champion ?

    We would like to invite interest from colleagues of all gender identities to become a Menopause Champion.  By stepping up as a Menopause Champion, you can make a real difference in the lives of your colleagues going through this critical life event. Supporting those going through menopause not only enhances their well-being and their experience at work,  but also fosters a more inclusive and empathetic workplace culture.   As a Menopause Champion, you will be required to attend an external online training course to enhance your understanding of  menopause and the role of champions.  Upon completion  of the training, your  contribution will include the following:

    • To be emphatic and supportive of  colleagues who may want to have discussions with regards to the Menopause.
    • Provide informal, confidential peer support to colleagues experiencing menopause, helping them understand available resources and support options.
    • Assist in promoting awareness of existing menopause policies and support measures.
    • Collect and relay feedback from colleagues  regarding menopause-related policies and support initiatives to People & Culture and or the Museum’s Health & Wellbeing Group.
    • Contribute to the Museum’s Menopause working group.

    We are particularly interested to hear from colleagues who have a:

    • Basic understanding of menopause and its impact on individuals at work.
    • Experience or interest in peer support or colleague wellbeing.
    • Strong communication and listening skills, with the ability to offer empathetic support and handle sensitive issues.
    • The ability to collaborate effectively and work as part of a team.

    Please email [email protected]  to register your interest  in becoming  a Menopause Champion by  Monday 29 July 2024. Interested applicants will be invited to a discussion to learn more about the role and the determine their suitability. We are looking to appoint up three champions, that reflect the departmental diversity of our colleague group.

  • 1940s Weekend Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July – Programme Info

    1940s Weekend Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July – Programme Info

    Daytime: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July  10-5pm

    Immerse yourself in the 1940s. Re-enactors, music vehicles of the period, set dressing, activity and characters places us in the era. The village and OBR will be decorated as if for a street party, and storytelling is about adaptions during wartime. The New Town will focus on stories specific to the family/business during war-time but interiors will not be re-dressed. The industrial spaces will focus on Black Country contributions to hardware and the role of women.

     Evening: Saturday 13 June 7-10:30pm

    Experience a swinging night out, 1940s style. A celebration of the best of war and post-wartime entertainment, dress up, sing and dance the night away.

    See the map and flyer of activity Final 1940s Event Map 2024 V3.1.pdf

    Familiarise yourself in more detail with some of the themes and stories of our 1940s event 1940s Programme Context Sheet.

  • Road Closures in Dudley – Friday 12 July

    Road Closures in Dudley – Friday 12 July

    Several roads will be closed in Dudley town centre due to the elite cycling event, the Dudley Grand Prix circuit race. This event will take place on Friday 12 July as part of the Black Country Festival celebrations.

    Roads and streets affected are The Broadway, Paganel Drive, Priory Road, Ednam Road, St James’s Road, Parsons Street, Wolverhampton Street, The Inhedge, Priory Street, Court Passage, Stone Street, New Street and Tower Street.

    Important changes to traffic flow:

    • Buses will continue to operate on July 12.
    • To facilitate this, The Broadway and Union Street will be made temporarily one-way.
    • Current one-way orders on Castle Street and New Street will be reversed.

    We advise all colleagues to plan in advance for these changes to ensure smooth travel and minimise any inconvenience.

  • Ta-ra, Danny!

    Ta-ra, Danny!

    Thank you to everyone who stayed to give Danny a great send-off yesterday. He is now happily getting to know his new friends at Michelle’s fields. We’re now letting our visitors know the news and will be asking them to share their memories and photos of Danny with us.

     

  • This week – work on road between the Toll House and the Fairground

    This week – work on road between the Toll House and the Fairground

    We would like to inform colleagues about upcoming improvement works on the two horse paddocks, including the restoration of the area between the existing paddock and the Fairground.

    • Dates & Times:
      • Monday 8th to Friday 12th July (five days)
      • Monday 15th to Friday 19th July (five days)
      • Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

    The road between the Toll House and the Fairground will be closed off to pedestrians (including visitors) during the specified times, except on weekends. Please access the bottom end of site via the alternative route (past Jerushah).

  • Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024

    Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024

    We’re delighted to receive a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024! These are given to the top 10% of visitor attractions worldwide, based on reviews and ratings over the previous year. With over 6,000 reviews we’re currently rated No 1 thing to do in Dudley and No 2 thing to do in the West Midlands.

    This is fantastic recognition for all the hard work that goes into ensuring that all our visitors have a bostin’ day with us. Thank you!

     

  • Update on our horses

    Update on our horses

    After letting you all know in May that we had started planning the well-deserved retirement of our beloved Danny, we can now share that Danny will be leaving this Sunday to enjoy a happy retirement with Michelle Darby.

    Under Michelle’s care we know that Danny will have an easy transition and that he will enjoy his retirement. He will also be reunited with his son!

    Henry, who had been on short-term loan, has now joined the Museum team permanently, after successfully bonding with Charlie.

    Look out for him as he starts to take over more of Danny’s responsibilities.