Lone Workers Network

MDEM runs a Lone workers Network across the East Midlands, to support individuals who work in isolation within the museum sector. This might mean they are the only individual on-site, or that they work in a larger organisation but find it hard to meet colleagues, or are geographically isolated.

The group is an informal group, tied together by 3-4 meetings a year. Any one is welcome to attend the meetings, and these are always a visit to museums, with the chance to hear speakers and network with peers. Members can attend as few or as many meetings as possible, due to the acknowledged nature and difficulties of lone working.

The purpose of the group is to provide networking, inspiration and peer support for its members, in a friendly an informal atmosphere. The meetings are usually held somewhere on the group’s request, to visit a particular museum. They are also loosely themed around lone worker issues, such as fundraising, volunteer management and audience engagement with limited resources.

Sign up to the network:

By entering your details below you are signing up to join the Lone Workers Network run by MDEM for museum and heritage staff across the East Midlands.

By joining the network you agree to share your email address with other participants in the network (MDEM will not share you details beyond this) and to attend at least one event a year. The network meets approximately 3 times a year, and the events are solely for members of the network to access peer support, specific training opportunities and go and see visits to other cultural organisations in the region.

The events and network are free to attend. You should expect to receive around 4-8 emails a year about the network.

How to book and eligibility:

The network is open to all individuals who self identify as a lone worker in a museum. Anyone is welcome to join the network, however where there is a cap on meeting places, priority will be given to those form an accredited museum or working towards accreditation. This is due to the scope of MDEM funding. To book your place or to join the group please enter your details into the above form.

For more information contact anitahollinshead@hotmail.com 

Previous Meetings:

• The 2018 meeting was due to be held at Kelmarsh Hall and Market Harborough Museum, but due to unforeseen circumstances will be rearranged for the same venues in the Spring of 2019. to view the proposed agenda click here: Lone Workers Network Meeting – 29th November AGENDA
• Winter 2017 Meeting was held on the  14th November at Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust. The network visited Kelham Island and Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet to learn about access and audience engagement.
• The Spring 2017 Lone Workers Network Meeting was held on the 2nd March at Woolsthorpe Manor. Click here to view the agenda: Lone Workers Network March 17
• Summer 2016 saw a visit to the King Richard III centre with a talk from Rachel Ayrton,  Learning and Interpretation Manager. This was followed a meeting at the National Space Centre with a discussion from Chaz Bishop, chief Executive.
• The inaugural meeting of the Lone Workers Network was in spring 2016. The group visited Mansfield Museum where they met with Jodie Marshal who provided an overview of the museum. Followed by a visit to the National Holocaust Centre and a chance to experience and discuss the visitor journey.