The Brickworks Museum in Bursledon has a long industrial history. Built in 1897, it’s the only steam-driven brickworks still standing in the UK. At its height, the site produced more than 20 million bricks each year. Production stopped in 1974, and for a time the site was left unused, but in 2014 it reopened as a museum. Since then, it’s been brought back into working order, not just as a heritage attraction, but as a community hub thanks in large part to its volunteers.
Although the museum has a small number of paid staff, the day-to-day running relies on around 80 volunteers. They help with everything from reception and the café to tour guiding, engine maintenance, gardening, admin, and marketing. Their contribution was formally recognised in 2024, when The Brickworks Museum was awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest recognition for voluntary groups in the UK.
Mary Flinn is the museum’s Collections Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. She said: “What’s brilliant about volunteering here is that there really is something for everyone. One person might be restoring machinery, someone else might be chatting to visitors in the café, and others might be helping with social media or sorting through archives. No two days are ever the same.”
“They don’t just wait for us to assign tasks. Often, they come to us with ideas. We had some old excavators that had been sitting untouched for years, and a group said they’d like to get them cleaned up and working again, so now they’re doing exactly that. It’s lovely to see that level of ownership.”
Volunteering is flexible to suit people’s lives. Some come in on the same day each week, others drop in on an ad hoc basis, or during the museum’s busy event days.
“We try to work around what people can give. Even my own parents help out when they can.”
There’s a close-knit group of regulars who call themselves the “Charm Offensive.” One of them, Robin, helps with all sorts of jobs – DIY, woodworking, gardening. He even built a film screen for a recent event in partnership with the Imperial War Museum.
Mary said: “When we bring someone new in, we tend not to have rigid job descriptions. We look at what they enjoy and what they’re good at, and we shape the role around them.”
Although the museum sometimes advertises roles online, most volunteers discover the opportunity through visiting or word of mouth. There’s a strong focus on welcoming younger people too. Two school students are due to start their summer placements, and a university student will be joining the team soon.
“We’ve had young volunteers who’ve helped with everything from social media to family activities. One student was really keen to learn blacksmithing, so he spent time shadowing our volunteer blacksmith. It’s great to see that enthusiasm.”
Inclusivity is at the heart of the volunteer programme. The museum regularly works with social prescribers and has welcomed young adults with disabilities who’ve supported the maintenance team.
“It’s really important to us that everyone feels they can contribute. We want volunteering here to be meaningful and enjoyable.”
Local businesses also get involved through corporate volunteering days, which are always well-received and help get bigger tasks done efficiently. All volunteers complete essential training, like manual handling or safeguarding, but a lot of the learning happens day to day, with more experienced volunteers passing on their knowledge.
“There’s a real sense of mentorship here. Our long-standing volunteers are brilliant at helping new people find their feet.”
It’s clear the museum simply couldn’t function without its volunteers. “They are the lifeblood of this place,” Mary says. “They don’t just keep the museum running, they bring it to life and give it a real sense of community. We’re incredibly lucky to have them.”