Working with Veterans
Today was to be the first meeting of the Carlisle's Veterans Hub hosted by the Museum but due to the current situation this had to be postponed. Inspired by the success of the Workington Veterans Hub, discussions with local veterans to establish something similar in Carlisle had led to plans to have an initial meeting in the Museum.
The Museum has a strong connection with the veterans' community. We have hosted their events and talks, lunches and even opened our doors at the annual May Regimental weekend. As a military Museum, it is important for us to engage with those that have served with the Regiment whose collections we house. It is their stories that bring the Museum to life, their objects that we look after and their history that the Museum tells. The Museum is about people...and the veterans and the serving soldiers are those people.
Over the past few years we have expanded our connection with local veterans from outside the Regiment. Not only do we attend our Regimental Association meetings but are invited to local Royal British Legion meetings too. Our connection expanded in 2018 when we introduced a monthly veterans lunch which is open to all. We have worked with Blind Veterans and AgeUK's Joining Forces project. Last year we undertook a Covenant funded project working with local Afghan veterans - anyone from any service that had served in Afghanistan. The aim was to pull together an archive of information of a more modern conflict which the Museum would look after.
As part of my previous role as Learning and Access Officer, I was tasked with building up the engagement with our veteran community. I attended local meetings that supported veterans, worked with other organisations that provided them with assistance and ensured the Museum was represented at the County Armed Forces Covenant meetings. It was important to be at Armed Forces Day and offer support on Remembrance Sunday. We have built up a great rapport with local veterans, many who attend Museum talks and events. Their support was paramount when we needed assistance for the six weeks residency of the Weeping Window sculpture in Carlisle Castle in 2018.
But now with our front doors temporarily closed, the Museum must adapt itself to provide an on-line connection with veterans, by preparing a variety of virtual activities. However, we appreciate that some veterans who attend our programmes do not always have internet connections. So we will try, as best we can, to ensure that those that have supported us over the past years are now supported by the Museum. And we will look forward to hosting the first Carlisle Veterans Hub at its initial meeting when a new date is finalised.
Over the past few years we have expanded our connection with local veterans from outside the Regiment. Not only do we attend our Regimental Association meetings but are invited to local Royal British Legion meetings too. Our connection expanded in 2018 when we introduced a monthly veterans lunch which is open to all. We have worked with Blind Veterans and AgeUK's Joining Forces project. Last year we undertook a Covenant funded project working with local Afghan veterans - anyone from any service that had served in Afghanistan. The aim was to pull together an archive of information of a more modern conflict which the Museum would look after.
As part of my previous role as Learning and Access Officer, I was tasked with building up the engagement with our veteran community. I attended local meetings that supported veterans, worked with other organisations that provided them with assistance and ensured the Museum was represented at the County Armed Forces Covenant meetings. It was important to be at Armed Forces Day and offer support on Remembrance Sunday. We have built up a great rapport with local veterans, many who attend Museum talks and events. Their support was paramount when we needed assistance for the six weeks residency of the Weeping Window sculpture in Carlisle Castle in 2018.
But now with our front doors temporarily closed, the Museum must adapt itself to provide an on-line connection with veterans, by preparing a variety of virtual activities. However, we appreciate that some veterans who attend our programmes do not always have internet connections. So we will try, as best we can, to ensure that those that have supported us over the past years are now supported by the Museum. And we will look forward to hosting the first Carlisle Veterans Hub at its initial meeting when a new date is finalised.
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