Friends

Our friends group has been going since 2000. There are currently thirty-five members, female, male & some children. We are planning to expand our group in the next few months, as our new galleries increase the size of the museum by a third.

What is a Friends Group?

The first friends organization was formed in 1909, there are now over 400 in existence. A co-ordinating body which the museum belongs to is called the British Association of Friends of Museums or BAFM, they promote best practice and give advice.

Most museums have friends organisations. Friends organisations are usually run separately from the museum, but have a close working relationship with staff. Friends groups are often very informal, but many are charities with their own constitution and committee.

What do they do?

Some of their voluntary work includes:

What else?

We run two social activities a year, our famous 'wine and cheese' evening which includes a private view of the gallery and another different activity each year. Last year many of our friends went for a private steam train ride with the Forest of Dean Railway for a curry & chips supper, all supplied by Gloucestershire museums.

We also send updates and information to all our friends on the exciting events going on within the museum, so they hear about them first!!

We offer free entry to Friends of the museum and their families in return for one day of voluntary work a year.
Who joins?

We have people join from all backgrounds and with a variety of skills who help out with activities for the museum. If you would like to make a difference and join the museum friends volunteer group, please give us a call on 01451 821255.