Spotlight on Smethwick Heritage Centre
Tell us what you do
We are a museum that documents the glorious industrial heritage and social history of Smethwick. At Victoria Park Lodge we display an ever growing number of artefacts, relics and memorabilia concerned with the town. We also organise road shows, events and school visits as well as curating an extensive photographic collection, all of which is free to the public.
What is your proudest achievement?
Still being open is probably our proudest achievement. We have grown and developed over the past 11 years and there is a great deal of love and support for the Heritage Centre shown by the Smethwick community so that is really nice. We have increased our membership and continue to put Smethwick’s proud heritage in the public eye.
What is your experience of support received from SCVO (if relevant)?
It’s fine. We are very independent though so are able to run the organisation without SCVO’s support.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt about working with people in Smethwick?
People are very proud of the history of their town. Our volunteers are here because they want to be and their dedication is motivated by more passionate then you can imagine.
What are your plans for the future and some of the challenges you face?
We have financial plans in place to help us become more self sufficient in the future. The challenge is to get more local people in the Heritage Centre, as both visitors and volunteers. It would be nice if we could engage more with the Asian community as they make up a large proportion of the areas demographic.
How can SCVO help to support your organisation in the future?
We always need more volunteers so helping to advertising our organisation to potential helpers would be great. We are running a coffee morning on the 6th March from 10am-1pm at the Heritage Centre. Anyone is welcome to come along and see what we are all about. People from the local Smethwick area are especially encouraged to get involved.
For more information please contact Chris on 0121 555 7278 or email smethwickhc@btconnect.com