The Museum of East Anglian Life was the only independent organisation involved in the ILfA East programme. It is an organisation witnessing a sustained period of change as it embarks on a major development programme which should transform its site and services. It is a very customer focussed organisation (some times too much so!) and the views of people across the organisation are regularly canvassed. The ILfA programme provided an impetus for change whilst fitting into the existing culture of the organisation.
The process enabled us to take stock of what we do, celebrate our success and re-evaluate our cause and values (see below).
Museum of East Anglian Life is a 'geographically' large museum and has a small but effective and supportive team. Most of the full team ware relatively new to the organisation; four out of five had been in post less than 16 months before the ILfA programme began. There had been varying views of the appropriate 'direction and emphasis' of the museum as mapped out in our draft development plan. For example some felt that an increased stress on nature based activities detracted from the core heritage offer of the museum. As Diretor I hoped to use 'learning' in its broadest sense as a unifying theme to bring the team together around shared values. I also hoped that the process would enable me to begin to crystallise my vision of the museum in future.
The facilitated sessions skilfully led by Ann Murch proved effective as they involved staff from across the organisation (the diagonal slice also included volunteers). More importantly it encouraged their involvement in creative thinking, something which up till then had fallen to me. The organisation hitherto had been very task orientated, borne out of necessity of making low level capital improvements to the museum during the previous year. The sessions enabled frontline and administrative staff outside the management team to contribute to the vision.
Building on the success of the early workshops, I led two subsequent sessions involving other frontline seasonal staff and volunteers. The museum relies heavily on their contribution as they provide the backbone of our public facing work. The sessions led to the realisation that most things they did, contributed in some way to a learning activity. This had the effect of making this group feel more valued although it has raised their expectations as to the level of their involvement in future strategic planning.
These sessions enabled me to explain why the organisation was developing activities such as work with offenders and young people with behavioural difficulties, which appeared to be unrelated to core museum work. Once again, using the concept of 'learning' I was able to justify our work in extending opportunities to socially excluded people.
The highpoint of the ILfA programme was the final session held by Ann Merch which involved Trustees as well as the diagonal slice group. The session examined the rationale of the organisation and encouraged the examination of its core values. A heartening consensus emerged from the sessions which seemed to encapsulate the spirit of ILfA. We all wanted the museum to be responsive to our users, to provide opportunities for our people to fulfil their ambitions and to have a strong sense of social purpose.
The main challenges in the short term will be to maintain the momentum established by the ILfA process. We have followed up feedback from the museum team. Internal communication has been improved - we now have regular breifing sessions and a newsletter (this also has an external advocacy use).
We will ensure that the IlfA framework is used by the consultants carrying out project planning work for the HLF bid.
Tony Butler
Director
12 September 2006
Museum of East Anglian Life
New Cause and Values
This is our cause
To make a positive difference to the community by promoting learning, conservation and social development.
These are our values
We want to foster an environment where ideas are valued and people feel they can fulfil their ambitions
We believe that telling the story of ways of life of the past enriches the lives of people today and future generations
We believe in giving customers a good day out
We have a strong sense of social purpose and believe we can make people's lives better
We believe in listening to our people and visitors and involving them in the life of the museum
We want to be an organisation which contributes to the well being of its natural environment
Old Aims and Objectives
Statement of Purpose
The Museum of East Anglian Life exists to maintain, develop and display its collections and site for public benefit. Through this it makes the rural, industrial, social and natural heritage of East Anglia accessible and visible to a national and international audience.
Aims
To develop and maintain high professional standards in the protection of the collections, buildings and site
To undertake and allow access for research into the collections, buildings and site, in order to enhance knowledge and understanding of East Anglia
To encourage and promote public interest and involvement in the Museum.
To develop a Museum recognised locally, regionally and nationally as a centre of excellence.
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