Marsh Volunteer Awards with the Museum of London 2021
The year, the Awards were altered to fit the around volunteering around the pandemic.
This Award is run in partnership with the Museum of London and recognises the contributions made to the Museum by an exceptional volunteer.
The Museum of London has hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time, skills and interests in various ways, from looking after collections and archives, to providing support on learning programmes and welcoming visitors into the museum.
Nominations for the Award are gathered by the Museum of London and judged in partnership with the MCT.
Roy Duffing and the 'Listening to London Docklands' Volunteer Team 2021
- ‘Listening to London Docklands’ Volunteer Team – Marsh Volunteer Award for Lasting Impact
This team of volunteers began working together in January 2021, in preparation for a new exhibition telling the story of the Docklands. All of the volunteers have personal connections to the docks, through their own memories or family connections. Despite not being able to meet in person due to the pandemic, they worked well together online, meeting weekly over Zoom to share ideas and bring the research for the exhibition together. They have collectively listened to over 100 hours of oral history to create an accessible and thoughtful exhibition. The research that the volunteers have undertaken is now available on the Museum of London’s database and website for curators and the public in the future. The volunteers have also spent time promoting the exhibition, encouraging visitors to engage with its content and take lessons from the stories.
- Roy Duffin – Marsh Volunteer Award for Long Service
Roy has been volunteering with the Schools Team for 5 years, and has become one of their most reliable members. He is a dependable presence at the museum, ensuring that all school groups receive and exceptional welcome and that their visit runs smoothly. Roy approached his volunteering in a methodical manner and is a calm presence during what can be chaotic and busy school visits. He is always looking for ways to make processes more efficient, and works well with staff to make sure that visitors and volunteers alike get the most out of their time at the museum. Roy is an amazing role model to volunteers, helping to train and develop them in their role and providing them with any support that they might need. He has also been involved with the interview and induction process for new volunteers, attending initial sessions to provide an overview of what it is to be a volunteer and answering any questions that might arise. Roy ensures that the volunteers feel connected as a team, and has organised a number of social activities for them.