What you say...
Friends of the Dean Heritage Centre
Who are The Friends of the Dean Heritage Centre and what is our purpose?
The Friends are an organisation of supporter's dedicated and committed to promoting and assisting the work of the Dean Heritage Centre, a local community founded venture. The Centre encompasses the Forest's very own museum, replica miners cottage, local and family history library, educational & craftsmen facilities, café, shop and much more, in beautiful surroundings in the Soudley valley. As a Friend you gain the opportunity to make a significant contribution to its continued future and success.
What do Friends do - how can I help?
Friends have volunteered in many different ways over the years, such as in the office, marketing, computers, accounting, at the front desk, in the Library, cleaning, collating artefacts, car parking duties, leaflet and poster distribution, talking to visitors, appearing in costume, gardening & odd jobs, helping on the Friends committee, helping at special events - the opportunities are endless and extremely varied - you may even be able to think of some new way to help! Think there is nothing you can do? We guarantee that there is! It matters not whether you can spare an hour only occasionally, or could help weekly or more - get in touch today.
Fundraising
One of the Friends ways of helping is to donate funds for items needed at the Centre. These have varied over the years from contributing building materials for the miners cottage, play area fencing & the marquee, helping to set up the Gage Library, to more recently paying for sheds, contributing to new lighting for the shop and specialised computer packages. A certain amount of this money comes from surplus Friends fees. However, some Friends generously also donate extra money when paying their subscriptions. Some Friends also kindly donate specifically for certain projects on appeal. This includes those who feel they are unable to volunteer because of age or do not live locally. From time to time, the Friends also undertake fund raising such as raffles & running stalls etc. The Friends also gained a Grant a few years ago to convert one of the Centre's areas into a Community Gallery (Gallery 41). If you have any experience with fund raising and / or grant applications, we would be delighted to use your expertise and hear your ideas.
How to become a Friend
Just fill in a copy of our application form and send it to us at the address below, with the appropriate subscription. You will receive a Friends card, which entitles you, on production at the front desk, to free entry to the Centre, a discount on items purchased in the shop and copies of our quarterly Newsletter.
How to contact us
On email: friendsdeanheritagecentre@gmail.com
By post: Friends Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, Glos. GL14 2UB
