The Roving Museum is a portable gateway to the past, and travels to wherever it is needed. Headed by Agnes Fough the aim was to create accessible opportunities for diverse audiences to experience and learn from museum-quality exhibitions outside traditional museum establishments.
Agnes Fough is a committed and experienced community leader involved in various projects and community groups in Tameside. Agnes had an idea to open up access of cultural heritage to communities who may have faced barriers to attending museums and cultural activities due to background, culture, poverty and a general feeling that museums ‘just aren’t for them’.
Hence, The Roving Museum was then born!
Working with Dawn Action, Action Together’s Community Development Worker, Agnes began exploring the best legal structure for the museum, considering its bold ambitions the project would require substantial organisational support, resources and startup funding.
Working step by step with Dawn, the group were able to explore various organisational set up options, what this would require, what governance documents would be needed and, any additional resources and people this would require.
Following the creation of a governing document (constitution), work got underway to look at recruiting a board of trustees. This recruitment included developing a trustee recruitment pack which included both print and digital promotion, this was supported by Action Together’ s Communications Team.As all the parts of the project started to come together, the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) model was agreed and work began on the registration of the museum through The Charity Commission.
This can be a lengthy process and requires lots of evidence and information to be submitted so it was essential that Agnes with support from Dawn was able to ensure all the documentation was in order.
The Roving Museum now has a governing document (constitution). They have now recruited six Trustees including Agnes. The Trustees have agreed the constitution and have submitted their application to become a CIO. The group have also benefitted from attending Trustee Training with Action Together.
Agnes explains how Dawn's support has made a positive impact:
“I was initially nervous because I have never set up a Charity Organisation before. However, I soon realised that I needn’t have been because Dawn knew exactly what I was talking about and how she could help, from the initial flyers to the final application submission to the Charity Commission. Dawn began by explaining the different charity organisations I could set up, she gave me some information about them with time to read through before making any decisions. I was soon reassured that all would be well.
I find Dawn experienced, dedicated, patient and down to earth when it comes to working with community groups. She is my “GO-TO” Development Officer.”
Agnes Fough | The Roving Museum