Become part of the incredible community of people safeguarding the future of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and its legacy for future generations.
Since 2004 The Friends of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House have supported the rescue, restoration and survival of the House. We do not receive any government or council funding, so they continue to play a vital role in protecting and supporting the House and the charity. They play a major role in helping the Board of Trustees to fulfil the charity’s mission and values.
Why should you become a friend?
By becoming a Friend of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, you will be helping to preserve a vital part of Manchester’s Literary Heritage for future generations to enjoy. Elizabeth Gaskell was a radical, a social campaigner and is one of the UK’s most loved classical authors. You will be supporting the maintenance, restoration, and public activity of the House to make sure as many people as possible can experience Elizabeth Gaskell’s extraordinary legacy.
You don’t have to be local to be a friend, many of our supporters are from across the country or even international! Through email newsletters and digital events, we make sure we stay connected with all of our Friends.
Join our Friends for a minimum of £25 a year or £3 a month. All income goes towards preserving the House and helping more people connect with the House, Elizabeth Gaskell and her legacy.
In return for being a Friend of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, you will receive:
- Regular newsletters from the House including being the first to hear about news and future plans
- A copy of our Annual Impact Report detailing the impact your support is having
- An invitation to attend our AGM (in person or online) where you will have the chance to vote on key decisions about the House and have your voice heard. You will also have the opportunity to meet the Trustees and hear about what’s new at the House
- An invitation to our Annual Friends’ Thank You event following our AGM where we express our thanks for your support over the last year
- Invitations to events, previews and exhibition launches at The House.
- An annual Friends Survey to ensure your voice is heard and included in any big decisions about the management or future of The House
- First information about opportunities to support the House such as our annual book sponsorship programme
- The knowledge that you are part of an extraordinary group of people dedicated to keeping part of Manchester’s literary history alive
What are my responsibilities if I become a Friend?
As well as your annual donation, all Friends become members of Manchester Historic Buildings Trust, the charity that saved and now runs the House. As a member of the Trust you will have the opportunity to vote for key House decisions at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year including voting in new Trustees.
Becoming a member does have a legal responsibility, but you will only ever be liable for £1 in the unlikely event of the charity dissolving.
Or you can download the application form below and return it to us by post:
84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LW
Download Friends Application form here
If you have any questions contact enquiries@elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is run by Manchester Historic Buildings Trust (charity no. 1080606) and all money gained through private tours, talks, room hire and ticket sales goes towards the ongoing maintenance and running costs of the House and garden. If you would like to support the house with an additional donation you can do so via this link.
