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  • Museum Update: Changes from Mon 16 Aug

    You may remember an update on our Museum’s response to the ‘step 4’ Covid-19 roadmap changes that took place across England in mid-July.

    At the time, we as an organisation felt it important to take a more gradual approach to easing back to our normal ways of operating to ensure the continued safety and comfort of all our staff and visitors. To that end, we maintained important and effective safety measures including bubbling of team members and separated rest areas, reduced and timed slotted capacity to the attraction and other key areas (such as the cinema and school), one way routes through buildings and staff requirement of face masks in public areas.

    There has now been a good opportunity to understand how our visitors have responded to this latest point in the Covid-19 roadmap, and their attitudes and behaviours towards the measures we ourselves have retained.

    With this in mind and, once again, ensuring a measured focus on the overall safety of both staff and visitors, we will be making some minor amendments to the way we operate from Monday 16th August. These are:

    • To return Rolfe Street to a two-way visitor flow, with all guests exiting via the gift shop
    • A gradual return to an eat-in offer at the Tube Works Café, with a small number of tables
    • A move back to full visitor capacity in our cinema and school room
    • Removal of social distancing arrows on our main museum roads
    • A gradual increase in daily visitor capacity to the museum

    However, for the time being, and at least until the end of our summer holiday period, we will be continuing with the following precautions:

    • Maintaining the current staff bubbling and rest areas
    • Retaining the staff use of face masks in all public areas (and encouraging visitors to do so)
    • Keeping all existing safety screens in place (i.e. at till points and in historic buildings)
    • Continuing with one-way routes through historic buildings and down alleyways (re-painting messages where needed)
    • Keeping the current capacity limits in meeting rooms

    The Museum could not have delivered so many safe and enjoyable visits so far this summer without everyone’s dedication and commitment to maintaining these additional measures, and we should all be very proud of the way we have worked together as a team to make this summer happen.

    Please do discuss further with your line manager should you have any queries on these changes.

    Hopefully, the remainder of the summer period shall be as successful as it has so far, and thank you for all your hard work.

    Vaccination Survey & New Isolation Guidelines

    Thank you to all colleagues who have kindly completed the Vaccine Survey. Over 94% of colleagues are, or will be, double-vaccinated by the end of September.

    The Government guidelines on isolation are expected to change from Monday 16 August 2021. Those who are double –jabbed or under 18 and unvaccinated, will not need to self-isolate if they come into contact with  a positive case. Instead you will be encouraged to have a PCR test to confirm your covid status. If you test positive for covid, you will need to isolate for 10 days.

    Given the easing of restrictions it is now more important than ever that colleagues undertake twice weekly  lateral flow tests. Test kits continue to be available from People & Culture.

    The Covid flow chart for managers has been updated and added to HR/Wellbeing /Covid on the intranet.

  • John Hughes Staff Award 2021 – Apply now – Closing Date Monday 16th August 2021

    John Hughes Staff Award 2021 – Apply now – Closing Date Monday 16th August 2021

    The John Hughes Staff Award is available to support the professional and personal development of individuals through funding for qualifications, conferences, workshops, short courses and research trips.

     This year the award is available to both permanent and casual colleagues who have worked at BCLM for a minimum of 6 months and are able to demonstrate how the award will support their professional and/or personal development whilst also benefitting the Museum.

    The award will be offered to one or multiple staff members following submission of an application form. Any supporting or additional information about the development opportunity should be attached to your application. The cost of the development opportunity should be no less than £200.

    Colleagues are required to discuss their interest with their Line Manager prior to completing the attached application. This is to ensure the application is suitable to be funded in this way and is not a requirement which may be able to be met by the Museum in other ways. Your application should be authorised by your Line Manager and submitted by you to [email protected] no later than Monday 16th August 2021.

    All applications will be subject to a ‘panel’ review which will be held shortly after the closing date. Successful applicants will be notified by end of August 2021.

    Click here to download the application form

  • BCLM’s New Website goes live

    We’re pleased to share that our brand new website has now officially launched at bclm.com! Thanks again to everyone who has helped the Audiences & Comms team in shaping the new site and providing feedback in the run up to the official launch.

    Please note that, following this initial launch, the Audiences & Comms team will be continuing working on the new site with additional content, so if there are pages you think are missing please be assured that these can be added over the coming days.

    The online shop is scheduled to launch at Phase 2 (End of August) and the Collections section will be updated with a new integration over the coming months.

  • Covid-19 – Important Reminder

    Covid-19 – Important Reminder

    All colleagues are reminded that they must keep BCLM informed of any circumstances that arise related to COVID-19 – this includes isolation alerts received via email or the app, cases or suspected cases in their household, any symptoms or positive test results. This applies to all staff and volunteers even if you not expected in work, e.g. annual leave, no shifts planned, not a working day etc.

    With the easing of restrictions we would also like to remind you of the importance of maintaining social distancing from others (2m wherever possible), wearing a face covering (unless exempt) when you are indoors and likely to come into close contact with someone not in your household, and washing hands or sanitising regularly. If you work in an area with air-conditioning you must continue to open windows to ensure a good supply of fresh air. A close contact is defined as any period of time within 1 metre of someone or 15 minutes in a 24 hour period within 2 metres.

  • Action for Happiness: Altruistic August

    Action for Happiness is a movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society.

    Each month they release a “Monthly Action Calendar” which are packed with actions you can take to help create a happier and kinder world.

    This month’s theme is Altruistic August. Altruism is all about the selfless caring for others. This month, Action for Happiness is asking everyone to take one kind act per day. 

    Let’s all use their calendar below, or the Action for Happiness App, to create a wave of kindness to spread around the workplace.

    Find out more about Action for Happiness and view their previous monthly action calendars.

  • Training Opportunity For New Transport Drivers

    Training Opportunity For New Transport Drivers

    We are looking for new transport employees to train to drive, conduct and act as a banksman as appropriate for the fleet of passenger carrying vehicles, which includes Motorbuses, Trolleybuses and Trams. At times, you will be required to drive non-passenger carrying vehicles such as cars to enhance the visitor offer or for special events.

    You will be involved in driving the passenger carrying vehicles in the fleet and engaging with the public with vehicle specific details and also the stories linked to such vehicles in the Black Country.  

    We’re looking for someone with:
    • Confident and engaging delivery
    • The ability to adapt their delivery to the audience
    • Excellent knowledge of the fleet, following training
    • A willingness to deliver a range of daily tasks to create an immersive experience for visitors.
    • The ability to adapt to the requirements and foci of programmed events/core offer.
    • A willingness to work collaboratively with a wide range of individuals.
    • The ability to adhere to safety management systems and training and/or assessment protocols, including any specific restraints or requirements concerning individual vehicles.

    Applicants will be subject to a Transport Driver initial driving assessment and only those that pass this will be considered for the formal skills training.

    Successful candidates will then receive:
    • A training programme encompassing driver, conductor and banksman responsibilities starting with Motorbuses.
    • Continued support from experienced trainers.
    • A training pack including checklists, notes and supporting images of the fleet.

    You will need to hold a full, current clean UK driving license. A driver medical will also be required. Our insurance only covers drivers between the ages of 25- 75.

    Please email your interest to [email protected] by Monday 9 August 2021. 

  • Staff & Volunteer Support for Co-op Early Years Learning Space Fundraising (21-22 Aug)

    Co-Op Central England are launching an in-store fundraising campaign to support BCLM: Forging Ahead across its network of 36 stores. 

    The campaign will fund an Early Years learning space that will be constructed at the rear of the recreated Halesowen & Hasbury Cooperative Store, which is being built as part of our new 1940s-60s historic town.  The fundraising target is £15,000 and will equip an exciting learning space for 3-5 year olds within the recreated store at the Museum. Replica food items, miniature trolleys, costume, display units and a counter with scales and a working till will allow children to explore and learn through play.

    Fundraising activity will take place in Co-Op Central England stores across the weekend of Sat 21 – Sun 22 Aug.  For six of the larger stores in the network, the Co-op have asked if BCLM staff and volunteers dressed in 1940s costume would be willing to visit these stories over the weekend and support the fundraising efforts.  Ideally, we’re looking for two people per store who would be able to spend c.3 hours on Saturday or Sunday of that weekend and who could talk to shoppers about Forging Ahead and the Early Years fundraising.  A full briefing would be given.

    At this stage, we’re looking for an expression of interest from people who are available on these days and who would be willing to get involved with this project.  If you’d be interested in finding out more, please complete the expression of interest form below by Sun 8 Aug:

    Expression of interest form

  • BCSC Lectures: Upcoming talk tomorrow

    Black Country Studies Centre’s series of free online talks discussing topics around the theme of Nostalgia continues tomorrow evening with “The Nostalgia Series Part 3: Smell, Autobiographical Memory and Nostalgia”. Tickets are still available and can be booked via our website here. If you’ve missed previous lectures and would like to catch up, recordings from a number of lectures are available to watch via the University of Wolverhampton’s YouTube channel.

    Date: Thursday 29th July, 2021

    Time: 7pm – 8pm

    Venue: Zoom

    Introducing the Nostalgia Series

    Nostalgia is a contentious issue. Whilst for some it is a harmless, helpful, rose-tinted view of the past, it has also been viewed critically, as a form of regressive, reactionary and sentimental escapism. Yet there is a steadily increasing body of work that reassesses nostalgia in a more positive, active and empowering light. Through this research network series, we seek to gain a greater understanding of nostalgia, and its impact on museums, regional and local history, lifelong learning and communities.

    The Talk: Smell, Autobiographical Memory and Nostalgia

    Nostalgia, defined by Pearsall (1998) as a “sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past”, can be bittersweet and may elicit negative feelings like yearning. However, current psychological research emphasises the positive aspects of nostalgia for personally experienced events, including increased feelings of optimism, positivity, self-esteem, and self-continuity.

    Nostalgia can also be understood as a phenomenon of autobiographical memory, where significant events from our lives can be re-experienced through a form of “mental time travel”. Psychological research into autobiographical memory can therefore offer us important insights into nostalgia, and studies have shown that some cues – like smells – may be particularly effective at helping us to reminisce about the past. Indeed, psychological research into the Proust phenomenon confirms that certain smells can unlock vivid memories from childhood – memories that may otherwise be obscured by childhood amnesia.

    This talk discusses two recent studies exploring the connection between childhood memory, smell and location, including the “Snidge Scrumpin’” project that investigated the Proust phenomenon in the Black Country. This found that certain smells, like Teddy Grays herbal tablets – hard-boiled sweets made in Dudley – elicited higher quality memories in those who grew up in the Black Country than those who grew up elsewhere. Typically, the memories recalled in response to smells were also positive, suggesting that odours offer a unique way of remembering pleasant events from our distant past in a manner that may be beneficial. Finally, family and familial locations had an important place within these memories, which is a common characteristic of nostalgia.

    The Speaker:

    Dr Tom Mercer is a Senior Lecturer and cognitive psychologist at the University of Wolverhampton. Tom is one of the coordinators of the Applied Cognition and Individual Differences research group and his main research interest is forgetting. Tom’s research projects typically use the experimental method to examine factors responsible for the loss of memory. Much of this research examines memory for non-verbal, sensory information

    The event will be held on Zoom and a link will be sent shortly beforehand. It is free to attend.

  • Volunteers for Museum Learning Award 2021

    Applications are open for the 13th annual Volunteers for Museum Learning Award.

    The award, which is ran by The British Museum and the Marsh Christian Trust, celebrates the achievements and contribution of volunteers in museums, galleries and heritage sites all over the United Kingdom, recognising their dedication, innovation and excellence in engaging with the public on-site and online.

    Winners of the 12 regional awards will each receive a £500 prize. An overall national winner will also be chosen and they’ll receive an additional £2,000. Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony at the British Museum in autumn 2021.

    The criteria

    –  They are looking for applications which demonstrate that during 2020 volunteers have helped their museum (or site) to adapt to the pandemic and to promote learning and enjoyment.

    –  Applications should focus on the achievements of a specific volunteer or a small team.

    –  The volunteering can be onsite, a contribution to an online project or an off-site activity that supports learning, enjoyment and community engagement.

    –  The volunteering highlighted in the application must have taken place predominantly during 2020. Volunteer projects that were developed in 2020 but could not be launched as planned because of the pandemic will be eligible.

    Who can enter?

    –  An individual or small group of volunteers who engage with the public in a museum, gallery or heritage site.

    –  Multiple individuals or small groups of volunteers from the same museum or gallery are welcome to apply.

    –  Volunteers can nominate themselves but they must have the support of their organisation.

    –  A museum may enter on behalf of an individual volunteer/group of volunteers.

    –  British Museum volunteers are not permitted to apply.

    How to enter

    Go to https://www.britishmuseum.org/support-us/volunteer/marsh-awards to complete an online application. 

    Your application can be submitted via email or as a hard copy.

    –  Please provide a short description of the voluntary activity you are nominating for an award (max. 250 words).

    –  Briefly describe how the volunteer(s) have enhanced the museum experience for visitors or made a difference to their heritage site (max. 250 words).

    –  Include some examples of positive feedback from visitors, museum staff and/or local community members.

    –  If possible, please include up to five photographs related to the volunteer activity and/or your site. Include a leaflet about your museum if you have one.

    Please send your completed statement and supporting documents to:

    Volunteers office
    The British Museum
    Great Russell Street
    London WC1B 3DG

    Or email:
    [email protected]

    All entries must be received by 17.00 on Friday 30 July 2021

  • Museum Update: Moving to Step 4 of the Government’s Roadmap

    With the Government announcement that we will be moving to Step 4 on Mon 19 July we have considered how best to adapt our Museum offer and operations to keep our Team and visitors safe as we go into the Summer.

    To that end the following principles will guide us:

    • We want visitors and the Team to feel safe and comfortable onsite
    • There will be a mixture of attitudes concerning the removal of restrictions and we need to be aware of this and use a blended approach ​
    • Until Test and Trace guidelines change (16/8) we need to avoid any reports of infection for reputational and staffing reasons ​
    • We will use the Summer to consider Team and visitor behaviour (including online booking vs walk ups etc) to consider any more permanent changes to carry through into the Autumn​
    • Therefore we will follow an approach which strongly recommends to visitors to take mitigations; the Team must continue to follow current Step 3 advice until at least 16/8 to reduce business risk of staff being contacted by Test and Trace and/or catching Covid

    We will increase visitors numbers onsite from next week and encourage them to still book in advance and continue to distance and follow the one way routes onsite. Sanitiser stations and QR codes will remain in place, and we will update building signs to recommend one family at a time for the safety of all visitors and staff. Face coverings will be optional but also recommended and one way routes will continue through buildings.

    In the coming weeks our buses will start to run again, with visitors on-board, in the afternoons and all Enterprise units and shows in the School and Cinema will increase their capacity to circa 75%

    As a Team we need to continue to follow the guidelines we are currently all doing a good job of responding to, including keeping socially distanced from our colleagues and visitors and sticking to our set rest areas. Where you cannot maintain a 2m distance from a colleague face coverings still need to be worn for everyone’s safety (unless you are exempt)  and to avoid any close contact incidents. This will be reviewed as we approach 16 August and the rules on Test and Trace change but while there remains a heightened risk of people being contacted to isolate it is business critical that we stick to our current rules. In the coming week we will ask you to respond to an anonymous survey regarding vaccination rates among the staff (now we are 2 months further along since our May survey) so we can better understand what the 16 August changes mean for us.

    Further information about how these changes will impact specific teams will be communicated in appropriate briefings.

    A huge thank you again to everyone and the way we have all changed how we work and engage with each other and visitors so we can stay safe and open.

    Please note all of these changes are from Monday 19 July and do not come into effect until after 1940s Weekend.