Volunteers’ Week is a national celebration that recognises the invaluable contribution volunteers make to organisations and communities across the UK. At the Framework Knitters’ Museum, it provides an opportunity to celebrate and thank the people whose dedication, enthusiasm and hard work help bring our museum to life every day.
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They welcome visitors, share stories, support events, care for collections, undertake research, maintain our spaces and help preserve the rich heritage of framework knitting for future generations. Their contribution extends far beyond the hours they give; they bring knowledge, creativity, passion and a genuine commitment to the museum and its mission.
This year, we wanted our Volunteers’ Week celebrations to reflect one of the museum’s core values: Craft and Graft. It is a phrase deeply rooted in the history of framework knitting, but it is equally fitting when describing our volunteers, who demonstrate skill, dedication and perseverance throughout the year.
To mark the occasion, visitors and volunteers were greeted by a special Volunteers’ Week display in the museum window. Decorated with Volunteers’ Week bunting, photographs of our volunteer team and fresh flowers gathered from the museum garden, the display served as a visible expression of our gratitude. It was a celebration of the people behind the museum and a reminder that everything we achieve is made possible by the individuals who generously give their time and talents.
Throughout the week, we also handed over our social media channels to our volunteers, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences, memories and reasons for volunteering. Their stories offered a wonderful insight into the diverse backgrounds, skills and interests that make our volunteer community so special, while allowing our followers to get to know the people behind the scenes.
One of the highlights of the week was a volunteer afternoon tea, providing an opportunity for everyone to come together, relax and enjoy each other’s company. Kindly provided by Parkers Yard, the delicious spread gave volunteers the chance to celebrate friendships, share stories and reflect on the many achievements made possible through volunteering.
As an added treat, our Collections Consultant, Emma Duggan, offered volunteers a rare opportunity to view items from the museum’s hidden collection. This special behind-the-scenes experience allowed volunteers to explore objects that are not normally on public display and gain a deeper insight into the museum’s collections and the stories they help preserve.
As a personal thank you, each volunteer also received a gift bag containing handmade gifts created especially for the occasion. Among these was a hand-painted brooch featuring the Stockinger’s Knitting design, together with a card containing a personal message written specifically for each volunteer.
The gifts were deliberately chosen to reflect the spirit of Craft and Graft. Just as our volunteers invest their time, care and creativity in supporting the museum, we wanted our tokens of appreciation to embody the same thoughtfulness and craftsmanship. Every card was individually written and every gift carefully prepared, recognising the unique contribution each volunteer makes to the museum.
While Volunteers’ Week may last only seven days, our appreciation for our volunteers extends throughout the year. The celebrations will be rounded off next week through our reciprocal visits programme, when a group of volunteers will travel to Birmingham to visit the Coffin Works Museum. The visit will provide an opportunity to learn from another heritage organisation, enjoy time together and gain inspiration from the stories of the people whose working lives shaped Britain’s industrial history.
The Framework Knitters’ Museum simply would not be the place it is today without its volunteers. Their craft, their graft and their unwavering commitment enrich the museum in countless ways and help ensure that the stories of framework knitters continue to be shared for generations to come.
To every one of our volunteers: thank you. We are proud to celebrate all that you do, not only during Volunteers’ Week, but throughout the year.
