Community volunteers from across North Lincolnshire have been at the heart of a project that has earned national recognition.
Thanks to the time, skills and passion of local volunteers, North Lincolnshire Museum has been shortlisted for the Museums Association’s Museums Change Lives Awards 2025.
The Documenting Northern Lincolnshire’s History project – a finalist in the Best Small Museum Project category – has given residents new ways to protect, celebrate and share their heritage.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This award shortlisting is really about local residents and the commitment they made to making this happen.
“Volunteers have given so much of their time and expertise to open up our history for everyone. It shows what can be achieved when communities and the council work together – protecting our heritage today and making sure future generations can enjoy it too.”
Over the last two years, 42 new volunteers have stepped forward, giving more than 1,300 hours to rediscover hidden stories, work with artists, and showcase fresh interpretations in the museum and online.
Their efforts have already been seen in the Stories from the Stores exhibition, enjoyed by thousands of visitors.
Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities – urban, said: “This project has been powered by residents, for residents. By contributing directly, people have created something that builds pride and brings our communities closer together.
“It’s also a credit to the dedicated museum staff, whose support and expertise has made it all possible. National recognition is the icing on the cake for everyone involved – the real success is that residents now have more access than ever to their history.”
Residents can explore more than 5,000 newly digitised photographs from the local history collection – part of a 30,000-item archive – through the museum’s new CollectionsOnline platform.
The easy-to-use site means people can browse, download and reuse high-quality images to bring North Lincolnshire’s history into their own projects, schools and communities.
The winners of the Museums Change Lives Awards will be announced later this year.
To volunteer – get in touch by sending an email to jenny.kirton@northlincs.gov.uk.
