Award-Winning Volunteers Recognised for Their Contribution to Penlee House Gallery & Museum

The dedicated volunteers at Penlee House Gallery & Museum in Penzance have been honoured with a prestigious award recognising their significant contribution to museum learning. The accolade was announced by the British Museum and the Marsh Charitable Trust as part of the ‘Volunteers for Museum Learning’ award, which celebrates the efforts of museum volunteers across the UK.

Volunteers Recognised for Over 700 Hours of Service

Penlee House’s team of nine learning volunteers were recognised for their hard work throughout the year, contributing over 700 hours of service. These volunteers help deliver various educational activities at the gallery and museum, including hands-on workshops for school groups, family sessions, and support for Arts & Health programmes aimed at people living with long-term health conditions.

Learning Officer Zoe Burkett praised the volunteers, stating, “We are extremely lucky to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic team of Learning Volunteers. What they do is amazing and enables us to deliver so much more. This award is so well-deserved, many congratulations to the whole team.”

Photo: Learning Volunteers dressed as nineteenth-century characters from the Newlyn School paintings

Prestigious Award for 2023

The ‘Volunteers for Museum Learning’ award, now in its 16th year, aims to honour those volunteers who engage directly with museum visitors. This could include leading school groups, assisting with family activities, or guiding tours. Penlee House was one of the joint winners of the South West 2023 Marsh Volunteer Award, further cementing its position as a key cultural institution in the region.

Chris Fisher, one of the learning volunteers, expressed the team’s delight: “We were so surprised and delighted to have been nominated for, and to have received this award. We have a lot of fun volunteering, and it’s lovely for us, and for Penlee House, to be recognised for the activities we put on for schools and for families.”

How You Can Get Involved

Penlee House Gallery & Museum is currently seeking new volunteers to join its award-winning team. With various opportunities available, including positions in the learning team and the tour guide team, there are many ways to get involved.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Penlee House via email at info@penleehouse.org.uk or by calling 01736 363625. More information can be found on their website here.

Sarah Saunders, Head of Learning and National Partnerships at the British Museum, emphasised the importance of volunteers, saying, “Volunteers across the UK have made an enormous impact this year, helping people enjoy diverse collections. They help tell compelling stories, reveal remarkable histories, engage audiences, and contribute to visitors’ wellbeing.”

Penlee House Gallery & Museum, owned and operated by Penzance Council, continues to offer enriching educational programmes thanks to the dedication of its volunteers.

Photo: Members of the Penlee House Learning Volunteers Team receive their award at a ceremony at The British Museum