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Nowadays most museums and galleries have a loyal group of supporters and the University of Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery is no exception, says Rosemary Marsh.

What is unusual is that the organisation is entirely run by volunteers and has been since it was set up in 1933. Success is due to hard work by a dedicated team of around a dozen volunteers who are lucky to have a room to work in at the gallery once a week. Constant attention to detail and a good working relationship with the paid staff is also vital Volunteers help in other ways apart from administration. One team has been trained as guides (pictured); another group assists young visitors with special needs; and yet another team helps with cataloguing in the gallery library. In total around 5,000 hours of voluntary time are given every year. The volunteers have the satisfaction of being involved in a highly successful gallery and of knowing that, with careful financial management and strict control of week- by-week expenditure their activities generate around £10,000 per year, which is available as top up funding for special projects at the gallery or seed corn for the purchase of works of art. In addition, several generous members have bequeathed money to the Friends and one bequest is used to fund informal Sunday afternoon concerts by young musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music. Another is used to purchase art materials for the 'Art Cart' which is packed with activities for children to use informally. The crucial factor, from the management point of view, is communication, communication, communication - up, down and sideways! The 1,400 members receive regular mailings three times a year with information about the gallery programme and events arranged especially for them. It is a constant challenge to maintain and improve standards but the Friends benefit from group membership of the British Association of Friends of Museums (BAFM) 1 and the World Federation of Friends of Museums (WFFM) 2 which helps to keep their spirits up and provides opportunities for networking with people who share their interests and understand their problems.

Rosemary Marsh is Chairman and Chief Executive of the Friends of the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester. An art teacher with experience of teaching in schools and adult education colleges, she now works as a volunteer. e:fow@man.ac.uk

Footnotes

1 BAFM provides a central source of information about Friends for Friends, offering advice on everything from starting a Friends group through to administrative matters such as insurance, Gift Aid and charitable status. Contact Ann Heeley, t:01458 850520 e: a.heeleybafm@btinternet.com w:http://www.bafm.org.uk

2 WFFM links up museum supporters, volunteers and trustees in more than twenty five countries world wide and through national associations reaches out to an estimated 1.5m individuals. e: wffmgese@prodigy.net.mx w:http://www.museumsfriends.org