Project Overview

if: Volunteering for wellbeing is a life changing social learning programme, which uses the heritage assets of IWM North, Manchester Museum, Museum of Science & Industry and our partner venues to support participants into volunteering and away from social and economic isolation.

Watch our short film to understand how the project was delivered

Recruitment
From 2013 to 2016 we will recruit and train 225 new volunteers to work in heritage venues across Greater Manchester. With our partners we will develop a supportive community of practice to develop a model for future volunteering practice in the sector.

Training
Working in partnership with The Manchester College participants will complete a bespoke training course and gain nationally recognised qualifications. The course will develop heritage knowledge, customer service skills and communication interpersonal skills.

Evaluation
Through its robust impact measurement the programme will also provide evidence of the effectiveness of responsible volunteering practice in the heritage sector in improving wellbeing and combating social and economic isolation.

if:Volunteering for wellbeing is made possible through a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Recruitment diagram

Background
if: Volunteering For wellbeing builds on the hugely successful HLF-funded In Touch Volunteer Programme 2007-2010.

In 2006, The Manchester Museum in partnership with IWM North secured funding for three years from the HLF to develop and deliver the In Touch volunteer and training programme. In Touch provided an innovative model for museum volunteer training and community engagement, attracting interest at a local, national and European level. This award-winning programme helped over 180 individuals from a variety of backgrounds in Greater Manchester to access heritage, re-engage with learning and develop key transferable skills leading towards increased employability. For further information download the In Touch Advocacy doc 2010

The In Touch evaluation report is available on request.