BSL work wins award

Jun 28 2007 By The Journal

Volunteers were commended for their dedication to North-East museums in a celebration at Newcastle's Discovery Museum last night.

In the third annual event organised by the North-East Regional Museums Hub, the efforts of 12 people were recognised in five categories.

Nicholas Padden, aged 18, scooped the award for Outstanding Contribution from a Young Volunteer. Over the past year he has been juggling his volunteering around his academic commitments.

As a member of the Deaf community his volunteering has focused on Tyne & Wear Museums British Sign Language (BSL) projects.

Working closely with the BSL project co-ordinator, Nicholas has been helping to build bonds between the Deaf community and museums in the region.

Nicholas, who is in his final year at Heaton Manor School, Newcastle, completed his final A-Level exam before attending.

Lucy Cooke, volunteers' co-ordinator for the North East Regional Museums Hub, said: "Volunteers make such an important contribution to the museums of the region and help us in many different ways, in many different projects - from conservation to front of house.

"The time they give makes a real difference to the service."

A national volunteers' conference also took place yesterday at the Centre for Life, bringing together museums from across the country with national volunteering bodies.