Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Volunteer Team have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Posted
1st June 2019
in news
The achievements and dedication of the volunteer team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester have been acknowledged with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
From fundraising and campaigning to get the House open and restored, through to tour guiding, tea room duties, ticket sales, gardening and marketing, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is deeply indebted to all the volunteers who help to keep the House open to the public.
The team of volunteers share an incredible amount of knowledge, giving time and enthusiasm to welcome thousands of visitors, tour groups, businesses, local community members and schools every year.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Frank Galvin, Chair of Trustees and volunteer:
“This represents a tremendous achievement for Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and we feel immensely proud of what our dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer team has achieved.
Feedback from visitors makes it clear that the welcome and information provided by the volunteer team is at the heart of a visit to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House.
Volunteering is essential to the operation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House as a visitor attraction, and the House would not be able to open if it was reliant solely on paid staff.
The volunteers also bring a wealth of experience: from previous professional roles in arts, libraries and museums; from directly relevant courses of study; and from volunteer roles in other heritage visitor attractions. The volunteer team ranges in age from 16 to 91 and they come from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. “
Representatives from the volunteer team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House will receive the award from Mr. Warren J. Smith, Lord Lieutenant of Manchester later this summer.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is always looking for new volunteers to join the team. Please contact the House if you would like more information on volunteering.
