Community Engagement

Why community engagement matters to us

Community engagement – working in partnership with local residents, groups and organisations – is really important to us.

By involving local communities in our decision-making, from what events we run to how we can make the Museum more accessible, we better represent their interests and heritage, creating a sense of ownership and pride throughout the Black Country.

  1. Join our Community Advisory Panel

    Connecting with our communities is at the heart of what we do. As time goes by and community organisations disappear and new ones evolve, our approach in how we work with communities is also changing. Our Community Advisory Panel take an active role in this.

    Our panel members share an invaluable insight from lived experiences. They are critical friends who challenge us to bring about change to fulfil our commitment to be more than just a museum.

    We need your help so that we can continue to deliver an enjoyable visitor experience and to improve access for all our visitors.

Who are we looking for?

  • Everyone is welcome.
  • Someone who has an interest in community engagement activities for neurodivergent, D/deaf and hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted people, as well as those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
  • You will have a collective vision to work together and support Black Country Living Museum.

As a Community Adviser, we would like you to:

  • Help us to improve our accessibility and visitor experience.
  • Provide us with external expertise and opportunities to link into new networks.
  • Provide independent feedback and ideas from a unique community perspective.
  • Assist in building relationships that support community empowerment and inclusion.
  • Act as an ambassador for us.
  • Challenge us to bring about change that will fulfil our aim of ‘mainstreaming diversity’.

As a Community Adviser, you will be able to:

  • Meet like-minded people to share ideas and network.
  • Learn more about the Black Country heritage.
  • Help us to rise to the challenge of reflecting diversity in the Black Country and beyond.
  • Contribute and influence the direction of a high profile heritage site.
  • Attend future projects and events.
  • Receive regular newsletters about Black Country Living Museum. 
  • Be involved with planning and developing new and innovative projects, sharing the story of the Black Country.

What to expect

  • We will meet once every six weeks at Black Country Living Museum.
  • You will be expected to attend at least 8 out of the 12 meetings (approx. 2 hours) per year, refreshments provided.
  • All panel member will be invited to attend an informal introductory meeting for a ‘get to know you’ session.

How to join

  • In person: Register your interest with the Admissions team in our Visitor Centre
  • By post: Black Country Living Museum, Discovery Way, Dudley, DY1 4AL
  • Email: community@bclm.com