www.gem.org.uk office@gem.org.uk 01634 853424 @gem_heritage

Non-funded sector support membership organisation, across the UK and overseas Voice for Heritage Learning Connecting, supporting and championing heritage educators Annual conference: 11-13 September, Torquay Museum Connection, Action, Innovation: Forging dynamic and lasting partnerships with communities Annual training programme nationwide Bespoke training for organisations Area and online networks Resources: online, news, publications Advice and support Advocacy and representation for heritage learning workforce Partnerships across the sector to support and drive development

Top tips for learning on a shoestring…

Clarify and prioritise Use your organisation’s mission to decide around 5 core aims or visions Assess all ideas and plans against this Cut work that doesn’t serve the mission Focus on work that best serves the mission and do this to a high standard

Build community ownership Volunteering: grows workforce and shared ownership Sense of belonging encourages support Donations of money, time and materials Word of mouth, repeat visitors Advocates to local authority, funders and trustees

Co-produce Build programmes collaboratively with schools and communities Create appealing offers that fill needs Build reputation for listening and sharing Encourage long-term relationships Invest schools and communities in organisation Source materials and delivery from schools and communities

Micro-volunteer Encourages widespread involvement Mutually meets needs of organisation and volunteers Reduces waste, and time and management pressure Facilitates bursts of creativity More suitable for young and busy volunteers Wardown House, Luton, Museum Makers

Micro-fundraise Small specific outcomes can drive a mini campaign (e.g. £300 for a loan box) Community fundraising an opportunity for engagement Visible progress: Lego building, thermometer, etc. Display success and gratitude – shared ownership Set goals and rewards – see Kickstarter, Indiegogo

Link up with local businesses Event, resource or programme sponsorship Leftover stock and supplies Space in gift shop in exchange for advertising space Pop-up exhibitions Museum marketplaces

Share peer support Swap and share resources and spaces Programmes in partnership Shared funding, linking small less fundable projects together under a theme Letters of support to funders Advice and sounding boards Wellbeing coffee and cake

Reframe Community support Challenge Community empowerment Pressure Financial sustainability Community empowerment Innovation Prioritisation, honing the mission Environmental sustainability

Rethink What do you already have for free? What counts as a learning activity? What do you do well? What could others learn from you? What could be the upside of your biggest challenge? Courage! And shuffle the cards…

www.gem.org.uk office@gem.org.uk 01634 853424 @gem_heritage

Minimum Viable Product Pick an idea that limited resources have prevented: What is the core aim/value of the idea? What is the smallest possible deliverable? How could that small deliverable be subtly upgraded? And again?

Advocacy practice Elevator pitch Have room to move up or down in the ambition of the project Use the organisation’s mission Have awareness of the funding/sector/organisation priorities and landscape Build qualitative and quantitative evidence Use personal stories Understand impact of programmes on visitor numbers

www.gem.org.uk office@gem.org.uk 01634 853424 @gem_heritage