I would like to add my 2 cents worth. I belong to a local history society (probably the second youngest member). Many have limited funds and transport which limits what they can do and how they can get involved. The society organises trips but I still see some people being left out for many reasons. At the same time I see all members being very active during meetings and during a recent presentation there was major participation from the floor through reminiscing about events and day to day life in the community over the last 50 years. However, what was said has now been lost as no one recorded it (with hindsight the local museum should have been invited to do just that!).

 

Therefore, we should see this sector of the community not only as visitors but also as important information providers. Their recollections are priceless. I know many local community groups do try to carry our oral history but often they have no support, poor equipment and no way to manage recordings after they are done. Therefore, doesn't this open up an area where museums can not only provide training but also be a home for data collected.

 

Also, it doesn't need high tech to capture people's recollections. Back in the mid 1990s the museum I was at had an exhibition on Wash Day. People attending were encouraged to write down their recollections and leave them in the gallery for others to read.

 

 

 

Nigel Sadler

Sands of Time Consultancy
http://www.sandsoftimeconsultancy.com

From: "Pimblett, Jan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, 14 October 2013, 15:10

Subject: Re: Museums and older people panels

Just to add not all older people are engaged – there are many who do not have opportunities or confidence or resources or feel that culture and heritage is for them. These responses based on experience don’t just magically transform because one gets a bit grizzled.

 

So maybe seeking out the people who are absent / under-represented amongst older audiences would be the thing to think about.

 

Jan

 

Not grumpy but certainly grizzled

 

From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jo Catling
Sent: 14 October 2013 15:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Museums and older people panels

 

Ouch! As an older audience member (as well as freelancer in the cultural sector) I'd like to protest!  membership of the National Trust and going to concert halls does not equal wealth. If Barry had used holding a Premier League season ticket as an example instead would you have made the same assumption?!  I think there is a real issue here and have done for many years but it will need greater sensitivity than this if you are truly going to get the most out of a panel of older people.

Yours in grumpy old woman mode,

Jo

 

On 14 October 2013 14:43, Rebecca Mileham <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Surely the wealthy older market is already securely captured then?!

 

On 14 October 2013 14:41, Barry Creasy <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Could I just add a plea for this?

 

The cultural sector is forever banging on about young people, and yet, as the National Trust, and, indeed, many concert halls, have shown, attendance by older people at cultural events, and of cultural sites is massive. It could be argued that they are a key audience to capture. They have plenty of disposable income, they have time, and they have interest. We are also an aging population  -  there will never be a shortage of older people. And you know what? All those young people get old. It’s a renewable resource.

 

I’d argue that this group, almost more than any other, is a group to target for cultural activities.

 

From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John McMahon
Sent: 14 October 2013 13:58
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Museums and older people panels

 

This is a great question, Dan! A couple of months back, I saw a really interesting video project done by the Museum of London, around an on-going project capturing memories of the old docklands/poplar region from senior tenants of a local housing association. (Kirsty Marsh and Halima Khanom may be able to provide further details – hope you don’t mind me cc’ing you here, guys!)

 

There’s a seam of engagement of older communities running through next month’s Museums Association conference, too.

 

I reckon FWW funding could provide an excellent spur for reminiscence groups that could crystallise into on-going user panels?

 

There’s probably a lot of scope for work around mutually reinforcing inter-generational work, too (ie constructing overlaps between youth panels and parallel groups for older visitors).

 

Intrigued to see how this discussion develops!

 

John

 

 

From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Ellitts
Sent: 14 October 2013 08:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Museums and older people panels

 

We hear lots about museums using panels of young people, but does anyone use older people panels to reach out to their audiences? I’d also be really interested in hearing about any examples of good practice in terms of engaging older people in museums, particularly grandparents as part of the family unit.

 

Dan Ellitts

Kids in Museums – Workshop Manager

 

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