Volunteers recognised in awards ceremony at IWM Duxford

This week saw IWM Duxford host its first ever Volunteer Recognition Awards. 170 volunteers from IWM London, IWM North, HMS Belfast, Churchill War Rooms, IWM Duxford and remotely-based volunteers gathered for the awards ceremony in the Conservation Hall in IWM Duxford’s AirSpace exhibition building. The event celebrated the many and varied contributions made by IWM volunteers in support of IWM’s ongoing development and operations

IWM Duxford was chosen as the location for the awards ceremony as it celebrates its centenary this year. The construction of this famous airfield began in October 1917. Volunteering in support of IWM began at Duxford in 1975 with the all-volunteer Duxford Aviation Society (DAS). During 2016 and 2017 an average of 1035 volunteers collectively donated 103,374 hours in support of IWM branches and projects.

Volunteers were nominated for five award categories. Winners were: Brian Kirkham, IWM North for ‘Developing in a Role’; Paul Breen, IWM London for ‘Going the Extra Mile’; Lives of the First World War Remote Volunteers Team for ‘Outstanding Team Contribution’; Andy Curran, HMS Belfast for ‘Supporting, Managing & Encouraging Volunteers’; and Jacob Goodall, IWM North for the Youth Award. All winners and up to two ‘Highly Commended’ volunteers for each category were presented with trophies and certificates.

After the awards ceremony, attendees visited some of the main projects involving volunteers at IWM Duxford including the Airfield Hosts in the Air Traffic Control Tower, the Visitor Experience Volunteers in the Battle of Britain Exhibition, the Radio Section and the Military Aircraft Conservation Team in the Conservation in Action hangar. The Radio Section is a popular project for volunteers with a keen interest in research. “We conduct research into the application, history and technology of military communications equipment and write technical and historical articles which are published in the radio section journal, copies of which are logged in the Cambridge University copyright library as a contribution to future research,” explained Richard Howes, IWM Duxford Radio Section volunteer.

Volunteering with Imperial War Museums can include conservation on HMS Belfast – preserving the ship for visitors to learn more about the lives people led onboard the Second World War warship; to giving guided tours of AirSpace or Land Warfare exhibitions at IWM Duxford; or speaking to visitors about particular objects used during the First World War and the Second World War at IWM North.

Jim Hutchinson praised the inaugural volunteer awards at IWM Duxford. “We all enjoyed a memorable day at IWM Duxford celebrating the many contributions that our volunteering family make in support of IWM. It was a great fellowship and wellbeing event with old friends reconnecting and new friendships beginning through a full afternoon’s programme of formal awards ceremony and visits to a number of key Duxford volunteer projects. 

“Over and above the many practical benefits of the time donated by our active volunteers across IWM, the experience of participation has once again shown its power to transform lives and improve wellbeing.”

John Brown, Executive Director for Commercial Services and Operations at Imperial War Museums, said: “This was a tremendous way to promote volunteering and recognise its benefits. I also think that the warmth of the volunteers’ response towards the volunteer management team spoke volumes on how much their work is appreciated by them.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for IWM, please don’t hesitate to contact: Jim Hutchinson, Head of Volunteering, IWM on 020 7940 6346 or at jhutchinson@iwm.org.uk Vicki Williams, Volunteer Programme Manager, IWM Duxford on 01223 499 357 or at vfwilliams@iwm.org.uk