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Category: Events

  • Learn Some Bostin’ BSL Phrases For Deaf Awareness Day!

    This year, we’re doing things a little differently in anticipation of Deaf Awareness Day. We need your support to help us to welcome deaf audiences on Saturday 7th May. We’ve listened to your feedback and have put together some simple BSL phrases that could be useful on the day to help you to better engage with our deaf visitors. See the video links below to learn how you can give a bostin’ BSL Black Country Welcome!

    Simple welcome phrases: https://youtu.be/uFmmxrZdRck

    Phrases for Front of House Staff: https://youtu.be/b9_TLvZ7c8w

    Phrases for Food and Drink Staff – https://youtu.be/9lA8VfjaGsY

    We have also placed a number of BSL handbooks in staff break areas – why not have a flick through and brush up on some basic phrases?

  • A Bostin’ Jubilee Bash – get involved!

    To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, we’re having a bostin’ Jubilee bash every day during Whitsun half term (28th May – 5th June) and we want you to join in!

    We’ll be commemorating past monarchs: recreating community celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in the Village and George VI’s coronation on OBR. We’re then bringing the story up to date in and around Gripton’s, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s televised coronation in 1953. Alongside many other characters, visitors will meet Mr Singh who moved to the Black Country from the Punjab in 1951. The schoolroom will be updated to 1953 to tell a story of Queen and Commonwealth.

    Decoration in communities was important – including all kinds of flags. In the title image, you can see the Union Flag alongside the Lion of Scotland, the South African Flag and the Red Ensign Star of British India on a pub in Darlaston in 1953.

    As with all street parties – food and drink will play an important role. As such, we’ll have a celebration jelly as well as the baker’s special contribution: a loaf in the shape of a crown. Visitors will be able to buy jam tarts, jellies, fruit cake and samosas.

    The day will end with visitors taking part in a parade across the site from 1:30pm, and a rousing rendition of God Save the Queen on the canal dock to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

    We need your help!
    • Do you have any flags or bunting at home which we could borrow for the duration of the event?
    We are looking for flags and bunting made from cotton/linen/canvas (not polyester). They don’t have to be Union flags, or red, white and blue – all Commonwealth Nation flags are welcome. This includes St George’s Flags, Royal Banners of Scotland and other Commonwealth countries. We can return them to you at the end of the event.
    • Fancy getting crafty, helping us to make banners and decorations?
    Are you free on Friday 29th April (10-12.30pm) or (1.30-4.30pm) to help us recreate a banner like the one below, as well as making bunting and flags? We have hundreds of metal bottle tops already, we just need your help to glue the tops onto the fabric to form the letters on the banner.

    Please email [email protected] if you have any bunting/flags or would like to join for the crafting session.

  • Staff survey – Fiendish Felons

    In order to help us shape and improve our programmes for the future, we are asking for all front line staff to complete a survey about their experience of working during our Fiendish Felons themed February half term.

    “As a member of frontline staff in direct contact with the visitors, you are key to our understanding of how visitors experience our public programmes and events. You are also key to their success. Your valuable feedback will inform how we plan programmes going forward and ensure that you have the tools and training to support you to deliver the very best visitor experience.”

    We are asking that all front line staff complete the survey by 10am on March 28th. Please click here to access the survey.

     

  • National Lottery Open Days at BCLM

    This March, the National Lottery are inviting organisations to take part in National Lottery Open Week.

    National Lottery Heritage Fund have made a significant investment in our brand new 1940s-60s development BCLM Forging Ahead. As our way of saying a big “Thank You” to our visitors and supporters, we are giving National Lottery players the opportunity to visit the Museum for free with two free entry days* on Sun 20 and Fri 25 March.

    As well as our open dates, the People & Culture team are organising a recruitment fair on the afternoon of each of our free days, to help us spread awareness of future employment opportunities at the Museum as part of the new development. Colleges and local community groups have been invited to attend the fair (recruitment fair invitees have been sent special tickets) but anyone who is booked to visit on the day is welcome to drop in.

    To find out more about other organisations who are taking part, visit the Lottery Good Causes website.

    Tickets for the National Lottery Open Days must be pre-booked in advance via our website. Visitors simply need to show their valid National Lottery play (either an in-app play, scratch card or Lottery play) along with their timed entry booking slot on arrival. 

     

  • Ticket Swap Scheme 2022

    Some good news!

    We are delighted to confirm that not only is the ticket swap back, but we have been successful in adding some brilliant new partners to the scheme, in addition to the usual list we now have: The Snowdome, Twycross Zoo, Silverstone, Kenilworth Castle, Merlin (Sealife & Legoland), The Wolves Museum and Blenheim Palace. 

    For new colleagues, the ticket swap scheme is an annual ballot to obtain free tickets for one of the list below.  

    We have tickets for (family ticket or equivalent):

    Dudley Zoo (20x 2 adults, 3 children)

    Cadbury World (10x 2 adults, 2 children)

    West Midlands Safari Park (20x 2adults, 2 children)

    Stratford Butterfly Farm (20x 2 adults, 3 children)

    Sea Life Centre (15x 1 adult, 1 child)

    LEGOLAND Discovery Centre (15x 1 adult, 1 child)

    Hoo Zoo (20x 2 adults, 3 children)

    Wolves FC Museum (5x 2 adults, 2 children)

    National Space Centre (10x 2,adults, 2 children)

    Kenilworth Castle (15x 2 adults, 2 children)

    Twycross Zoo (15x 2 adults, 3 children)

    Think Tank (20x 2 adults, 3 children)

    Silverstone Museum (20x 2 adults, 2 children)

    Blenheim Palace (20x 2 adults, 2 children)

    The Snowdome (20x activity for family of 6)

    Wookey Hole Resort (15x 2 adults, 2 children)

    Dudley Canal Trust (15x 2 adults, 3 children)

    Crich Tramway Village (20x 2 adults, 3 children)

    Warwick Castle (5x 2 adults,2 children + 2x 2 adults, 3 children)

    Ballot slips are available from Reception and from the People & Culture Team. Please return ballot slips in the black post boxes located by main Reception or outside the People & Culture Office no later than Monday 28th March by 6pm. Any ballot slips received after this time will not be included in the ballot on Tuesday 29th March 2022. 

     

  • AIM Annual Conference

    The AIM (Association of Independent Museums) annual Conference will be held at Port Sunlight Village, Wirral, on 16-17 June 2022. 

    This year’s conference theme of ‘Making it happen’ will see colleagues from across the UK explore the vision for independent Museums as we recover from the challenges of the pandemic.

    Sessions will highlight how to implement the changes sector debates call for with practical and relevant examples from Museums of all shapes and sizes. As ever with AIM Conference, delegates can look forward to a schedule packed with inspirational and practical advice, debate and discussion.

    As in previous years we are offering staff the opportunity to attend this year’s conference, with travel and accommodation provided. All you need to do is complete an application and provide us with some information as to how you think this will be of benefit to you in your role here at BCLM.

    More information is available on the AIM website. https://aim-museums.co.uk/aim-national-conference-2022/

    If you are interested in attending, please complete the AIM application form (available in the documents section of the intranet under forms for staff or by using: http://pmm.d88.mywebsitetransfer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AIM-application-2022.docx) and return to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 11 February 2022. Staff will be selected based on their application and informed in early March.

  • Calling all Volunteers – Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022

    Help make history by becoming a volunteer at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

    Applications opened on 12 January for volunteers to join the cast of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies. 

    Organisers are inviting Midlands-based people who are passionate about music, dance – and can move a beat, to apply to be part of something spectacular this summer. Athletes Hosts are also required to welcome the athletes taking part in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. This role should appeal to those who want to be part of the ceremony but don’t want to appear on stage.

    Successful applicants will perform in front of a full capacity audience in Birmingham’s newly developed Alexandra Stadium, as well as a worldwide broadcast audience of up to one billion people.

    The Birmingham 2022 Ceremonies Team is made up of some of the finest West Midlands creative talent, including, theatre director Iqbal Khan, award-winning writer Maeve Clarke, rapper Joshua ‘RTKal’ Holness, and Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight.  This team is calling for the most ambitious, outgoing, and dedicated local people to apply to be part of the performance that opens and closes the biggest sporting celebration since the London 2012 Olympic Games.

    There are 2000 volunteer roles available and anyone over the age of 18 can apply. Applications close Monday 7 February

    Help make history by becoming a volunteer at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

    Applicants can find more information and register their interest for this great opportunity by completing the online applications form at birmingham2022.com/ceremonies

  • A Thank You Message from Andrew

    Dear Colleagues,

    As we head towards our second and final weekend of An Enchanted Christmas I wanted to express my personal thanks to all colleagues who’ve worked so hard to deliver these events.

    Enchanted is a new kind of event for the Museum to entertain younger families with an imagined storyline.  We’ve received some encouraging feedback from visitors who’ve been delighted by their visit.  This will help us further develop this event and others in the programme.

    None of this would have been possible without the enthusiasm, expertise and commitment of colleagues across the Museum.  An event like this requires a huge collaborative effort.  I’m proud of the work people have done to make these weekends so lively and create such a warm welcome to visitors who’ve chosen to spend time with us ahead of Christmas.

    With thanks and best wishes for Christmas & New Year.

    Andrew

  • UPDATED INFORMATION: Colleague update in response to the Government’s introduction of ‘Plan B’

    Important update. The Government has issued new rules around self-isolation and testing:

    From Tuesday 14 December, fully vaccinated contacts of a COVID-19 case – whether Omicron or not – should take a rapid daily lateral flow test (LFT) for 7 days to slow the spread of the virus.

    • People who are fully vaccinated and identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19 should take a lateral flow test every day for 7 days.
      • Anyone who tests positive via LFT, or develops symptoms, should self-isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test to verify the result. If the PCR is positive then people must self-isolate for 10 days from either the day they took the positive LFT, or from when they developed symptoms. People do not have to continue with LFTs while they isolate.
      • If the PCR is negative, fully-vaccinated people can stop self-isolating, but should continue to do daily rapid tests for the remaining 7 days.
    • Anyone who tests positive, or develops symptoms will need to self-isolate
    • Anyone who is unvaccinated is not eligible for this new testing policy and must self-isolate for 10 days

    Internal Staff Communication

    Following the UK Government’s announcement (08-12-21) in response to the Omicron Variant of COVID19, the Museum has prepared an internal document to share the latest update, the actions that are being taken to comply with the guidance and the protocols we’ve put in place to provide additional reassurance.

    The Museum is fortunate in that we do not have any event where we can hold 500 people internally planned at any one time, and are well below the 4,000 outdoor event capacity. Therefore, visitors will NOT be required to produce the NHS COVID Pass.

    We are reviewing the changing advice regularly and will update and inform everyone of these changes as we know about them.

    The latest guidance that directly impacts us include:

    • Face coverings in almost all internal areas are now mandatory – with the exception of hospitality  – from Friday 10 December
    • Guidance on isolation has changed – from Tuesday 14 December, people who are fully vaccinated and identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 – whether Omicron or not – should take an NHS rapid lateral flow test every day for 7 days to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Please see update above for further details
    • Guidance on working from home has changed – from Monday 13 December

    Full details can be found here.

    In addition to the mandatory steps we must take in line with the latest guidance, we have also decided to take some additional measures to help manage our Christmas period:

    • Respraying of all distancing markers where queues may form
    • Respraying of ‘no entry’ markers
    • On entry to the Museum – Visitors will be offered a mask if they do not have one
    • Information  on admissions screens and entry boards as people enter
    • Doors and windows opened wherever possible
    • Hand sanitiser stations across site
    • Repeated signage across site referring to masks and social distancing – especially in high traffic areas.
    • COVID event risk management form regularly completed (minimum 3 times a day) to allow for a dynamic Risk Assessment of events
    • Track and trace points updated and made obvious at relevant catering outlets
    • Additional staff to act as stewards to provide extra engagement opportunities for visitors. Particularly in expected areas with heavy traffic or where queues may form
    • Communication material will be sent to all expected visitors prior to our events, including key messages on what we’re doing at the museum and what we require them to do

    The planning of our current programmes (Unwrapping Christmas and An Enchanted Christmas)  and Enterprise offer already includes COVID-safe protocols for front line colleagues. These can be found below, or via your team manager:

    Key Information Enchanted ChristmasDownload

    As you would expect the Museum has consistently maintained its compliance with  COVID-safe protocols and we will continue to follow these. Noted below are a few additional measures, as well as a reminder to all colleagues of adherence to existing protocols, these include:

    • Wearing a face covering at all times whilst in indoor public areas, unless exempt
    • Washing and/or sanitising hands on entering the Museum
    • Observing respectful behaviours re social distancing when passing others
    • Ensuring COVID protocols in terms of sanitising any ‘touch points’ in common areas are adhered to  
    • Taking a  Lateral Flow Test (LFT) Twice weekly
    • An increase the number of rest areas – details of this will be shared shortly via team managers
    • All rest areas will have limits on numbers using these areas at any one time

    We appreciate that staff may have strong views on compliance with face coverings, however, please do not offer an opinion or enter into a debate about the wearing of face coverings with visitors.

    Working From Home (Office Staff Only)

    Our approach to working from home has to take into consideration that we remain open to visitors and the support that is required for our frontline colleagues, visitor programmes, and site maintenance.

    As a result, we recommend the following:

    • Individual teams are required to assess the onsite operational  support required versus work that can be effectively carried out from home,  with the aim of reduced staff in offices on any given day
    • Office staff that cannot work from home, can continue to work on site

    Meetings

    • Default position for all meeting should be via Teams
    • If face to face meetings are essential , then these should be undertaken following the COVID protocols in place, ensuring that surfaces are sanitised, masks are worn and ventilation is present
    • Capacity limits in meeting rooms will return
    • External meetings should be restricted to business critical only, where a meeting is required (e.g. contractor) please ensure that the COVID paperwork is completed. This can be found below:
    BCLM-Contractors-Covid-19-Information-10-December-2021Download

    Lateral Flow Tests

    We are no longer able to access free Lateral Flow Tests as an employer. However, these are given for free by NHS-affiliated organisations (e.g. pharmacies, test centres etc). We would encourage all colleagues to access a Lateral Flow Test kit from one of these. Visit the .gov.uk website to do find more information.

    Isolation Rules

    At the time of this communication the rules are as follows:

    If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test.

    For those who are close contacts the official guidance has now been updated, as per the notice at the top of this post: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/daily-rapid-testing-for-covid-19-contacts-launches-this-week

    If you are contacted by NHS T&T please inform your line manager for further advice.

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do

    If you have any questions or concerns please speak to your line manager.

  • Filming at the Museum and staff parking arrangements w/c 6 Dec

    Filming is taking place at the Museum on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 December across key areas of the site.

    Activity will mainly be focused on the boat dock/Station Road and Bottle & Glass. However the WI, school and OBR will also be in use at various points. Therefore, BCLM Filming staff may ask you to wait or use alternative access in and around the Museum site on these days.

    Additionally, staff who need to park at the Museum w/c 6 December may be directed to park in different areas of the car park on any given day. Please carefully follow any signage and requests from the contractors working in this area. This is due to tarmacking work will be taking place throughout the week in our main car park.

    The Museum will be operating on different opening hours w/c 6 December. We will welcome visitors for general admission on Tuesday 7 December and for the An Enchanted Christmas event on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December. We will be closed to the public on the remaining days of the week due to the filming and set-up for the event.