In this post, we want to celebrate our wonderful volunteers.
Our dedicated team of volunteers are the backbone of the Palace. The hours you put in are invaluable to running the Palace and has helped the site grow from the original stages of the restoration project to the educational and inspiring site it is today. Our vision is to become one of the UK’s best loved and most inspiring historic houses and gardens. Thank you for helping us get there.
The Volunteering Award at the Museums and Heritage Awards
The Museums and Heritage Awards give museums across the UK a chance to submit their volunteer staff for some well-deserved recognition and appreciation. We nominated both a team and an individual; the Front of House volunteers and Sarah Nicholl-Carne. It was incredibly competitive and, unfortunately, neither entries were successful this year.
However, we did receive a lovely Certificate of Appreciation which, in their words, is ‘a thank you on behalf of the museums and heritage sector for the incredible contribution that volunteers make’ for both Sarah and the front of house volunteers.
The Front of House Volunteers
Through the major restoration project, the Front of House team have hit the ground running with every change and adaptation.
A few of the Front of House Team receiving their certificate.
When the Palace first relaunched in May of 2019, there were two volunteer teams - museum stewards who worked in the historic rooms and visitor reception assistants worked on the front desk. These distinct teams had separate line managers, remits and expectations.
The project brought significant changes - a new museum space in a different location with a new visitor route, a new front of house and retail staff structure, new interpretation and a complete Trust rebranding. With changes so wide-ranging, we were conscious of their impact on our visitor-facing volunteers, who represented all changes to the public.
The shifts also became longer, the number of daily shifts doubled from 5 to 10 and were available every day rather than just 5 days.
It is incredible how much our Front of House volunteers adapted to each change with enthusiasm! The team has genuinely supported each other and nurtured new volunteers, especially demonstrating an aptitude at encouraging volunteers with additional support needs. The team of 63 volunteers embraced training opportunities, such as storytelling, and quickly absorbed information in the newly interpreted spaces.
Visitor experience has been positively impacted by the strength of the team. In surveys, the Good/Very Good satisfaction rate has grown from 93% to 96% (from 2018/19 to 2019/20). Visitors rating their visit as ‘Excellent’ has risen a huge 11% (from 56% in 2018/19 to 67% in 2019/20).
While the Palace itself is enhanced, it is the excellent individuals who leave a lasting impression. As a visitor so sincerely put it ‘the love which had been given by all the volunteers and staff to bring the Palace alive again’ (Oct 2019).
Sarah Nicholl-Carne
Sarah had the idea to produce homemade Fulham Palace chutneys. Sarah led on this initiative, researching the processes required to make and sell produce, rules and regulations on labelling, hygiene, and so on. They were very complicated but she persisted nonetheless, not even fazed by having the council check her kitchen.
Sarah recieving her certificate.
Smiley Sarah Nicholl-Carne
The first jars were rhubarb and ginger jam. As the garden has grown and creates more produce, the variety of spreads and preserves has increased - blackberry jam, crabapple jelly, spicy tomato, green tomato, beetroot and orange chutney. In autumn, there is a range of different flavoured apple chutneys and quince jam, made with lemon or cinnamon. And - for Christmas - delicious spiced pickled pears.
Snozzcumber Pickle is a favourite with visitors!
Sarah is involved in every aspect of their creation, from harvest to jarring up. From May to December 2019, the chutneys brought in £1,300. Delicious and a token of the Palace, they always sell out. They have played a huge part in supporting the Trust’s aim of becoming financially self-sufficient. In 2019, as demand grew, Sarah trained another volunteer to produce preserves alongside her to ensure the project’s sustainability.
Sarah is a team player and has been part of the close-knit beekeeper team since we installed hives in 2013. She has kept the spirits of this team up through difficult times - including swarms and a lost queen. Like the chutneys, the award-winning honey, which Sarah helps harvest and process, sold out in 2019.
Sarah alongside fellow garden and front of house volunteers
To the Front of House Volunteers, Sarah, and the entire volunteer team who work selflessly across the Palace, we want to say a massive
Yes, the Gif is Edmund inspired.