Chatteris Museum Volunteer Team are the East of England winners of the 2023 Marsh Award for volunteers in museum learning. Volunteers travelled to London on Monday 23rd September to receive their award at a ceremony at the British Museum alongside regional winners from across the UK. Chatteris Museum volunteers were recognised by the judging panel as outstanding. They commented that the volunteers hard work and dedication in relocating the museum to new premises was exceptional and that we had made an outstanding contribution to engaging museum audiences. The British Museum and the Marsh Charitable Trust have been working in partnership for the sixteenth year of the ‘Volunteers for Museum Learning’ award, which recognises the hugely important contribution that volunteers make to help museums engage with their visitors.
Sarah Saunders, Head of Learning and National Partnerships at the British Museum said: “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. We are delighted to be able to celebrate and honour all their achievements publicly with the support of the Marsh Charitable Trust.” Sue Spooner of Chatteris Museum Volunteer Team said “As an entirely volunteer run museum we are incredibly proud to have received this award. It is wonderful to have our volunteers recognised for their dedication and many hours of hard work in packing and moving the museum, alongside delivering a successful National Lottery funded project on the 1920s. Our museum continues to develop as a free and welcoming space for the whole community.”