The standard of nominations were exceptionally high this year and the judges had some very difficult decisions to make. We’re very lucky to have so many wonderful volunteers, paid staff who support volunteers and museums ran by volunteers across the North East!

A huge variety of exceptional volunteers and teams were nominated for awards ranging from volunteers who help to; bring collections to life; care for collections; interpret collections; provide demonstrations; welcome visitors into the museums; enhance the visitor’s experience; provide real life re-enactments; and redevelop massive areas within the museums and grounds.

There are so many people who really deserve to be recognised for everything they’ve done. People who go over and above what anyone would expect of them and kindly offer their time and support to museums in the North East. Thank you so much to all of our volunteers and staff who support volunteers!

We were treated to a brilliant presentation by the Beamish Youth Group, the winners of last year’s Volunteer Team Award, about their trip to Clarke Hall which was part of their prize. Iain Watson, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and Counsellor Ged Bell presented the awards to the winners. The winners were presented with a certificate and a John Lewis gift voucher. Special pieces of local glass art work were presented to the Outstanding Volunteer Ran Museum Award winner and the highly commended museum. 

Now to announce the winners. Drum roll please…………………

Award for Outstanding Contribution from a young volunteer under 25 

Jack Kilday in costume at Beamish

Winner -Jack Kilday from Beamish Museum 

Highly Commended -Alison Grange from Head of Steam, Darlington and  David Bukera from TWAM 

Contribution to the Visitor Experience Award 

Cllr Ged Bell and Emma Fairweather, Preston MuseumElizabeth Jackson from Museum of Hartlepool

Highly Commended – Ian Wilson, Beamish and Linda Durant, Shipley Art Gallery  

Contribution to Supporting Volunteers Award (Paid Staff) 

Peter Gibson, Sunderland Museum

Winners – Peter Gibson, Monkwearmouth Station Museum and Vanessa Sanderson, Heugh Battery  

Volunteer Team Award 

Edson Cadete and Mila Panguila from the CultuRISE forum with Cllr Ged Bell

Winner – Culturise Forum, TWAM 

Highly Commended – Railway Sidings Volunteers, Monkwearmouth Station Museum and U3A Group, Preston Hall. 

Outstanding Achievement by A Volunteer Run Museum 

Bellingham Heritage Centre Volunteer Team

Winner – Bellingham Heritage Centre  

Highly Commended Award – Weardale Museum

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and thank you to all of our volunteers and staff who support volunteers across the museums in the North East.

I will be sharing with you very soon a video which uncovers why Bellingham Heritage Centre and Weardale Museum are such fantastic places to volunteer.

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Thank you!