The hard work and dedication of volunteers who between them contribute hundreds of hours a month to Wolverhampton's cultural attractions has been celebrated.

The Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Ian Brookfield hosted a special event at Wolverhampton Art Gallery to thank volunteers who help out at the City of Wolverhampton Council run gallery, as well as at Bantock House Museum, Bilston Craft Gallery and Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies.

Between them, the volunteers offer up to 1,500 hours per month to support the attractions' projects, staff and visitors.

Mayor Councillor Brookfield said: "We are very grateful to all of our volunteers for the hugely important help and support they offer at our galleries and museums on a daily basis.

"The volunteers come from all walks of life; many are retired people who bring their skills and experience to help deliver services and look after our collections. We also have a high proportion of undergraduates, recent graduates and unemployed people who volunteer to develop their skills as well as bring in new ideas and thinking.

"As well as helping with the day to day running of our venues, volunteers have also made significant contributions to local history projects such as Block Capital, which revealed the history of high rise flats in the local area, and Black Country Echoes which was concerned with local manufacturing industries."

Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Bantock House Museum, Bilston Craft Gallery or Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies should visit Type=links;Linkid=6728;Title=Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage - Volunteering;Target=_blank; or contact Marie Cooper on 01902 552033 to find out more.

  • released: Wednesday 9 December, 2015