Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant further funding to Massey Shaw

The Massey Shaw Education Trust is pleased to announce that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has approved a recent application for transition funding of £100,000; with a £4,000 contribution from the Trust.

The bid was submitted to support a strategic business review which will identify new sources of income, via the production of marketing, social media and business plans and the employment of our first member of staff. Consequently, thanks to National Lottery players, the Trust will be financially sustainable and reach a wider audience for its education projects which have been so well received since the Massey Shaw’s restoration.

Still led by its volunteer directors, the recommendations from the review will help the Trust set up a sustainable business model and equip its volunteers and Board with new skills to develop and operate the charity as a sustainable entity, continuing the preservation in operation of the Massey Shaw and the associate education programmes.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

The main areas the funding will cover are outlined below:

• Recruiting a management consultant to project manage the review, employ a project coordinator on a one year contract;
• Develop a project management plan to co-ordinate activity, and to identify our volunteers’ training needs
• Develop a 5-year business plan with new financial modelling tools;
• Develop a new marketing and communications plan
• Develop the website and social media communications plan
• Consultants to carry out required training for our volunteers

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Since completing the restoration and returning Massey Shaw back to the Thames in 2013, volunteers have been hard at work maintaining the vessel and educating community groups, schools and the wider population of London about the unique history of the vessel. The main aim of the Trust has always stayed the same;

“To advance public education in the history of marine vessels in particular by the preservation and public display of the Massey Shaw fireboat.”

Commenting on the award, Trust Director, Bill Scott said;

“Education is at the heart of what we do and the funding from the HLF will enable us to build a sustainable model which allows us to increase the number of events we attend, train volunteers to enhance skills on board and further educate the public in the heritage of Massey Shaw.”

Talking about the importance of the HLF support, Stuart Hobley, the head of the HLF in London said;

“The Massey Shaw fireboat has served London and been an important part of the history of the Thames for over 80 years, and we are delighted to have been able to support its restoration. It is excellent that, thanks to National Lottery players, this latest round of funding will help the Trust to plan for their future, ensuring that local people will continue to have access to the fascinating history of this unsung hero of London.”

If you would like to be involved with the next phase of the Trusts on-going work, please consider volunteering or becoming a supporter of the Trust.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

At over 80 years old, this true ‘London’ vessel is believed to be only remaining example of a working fireboat of her type in Europe. With this in mind, we are constantly seeking volunteers who can help us maintain the vessel and train as crew, promote our education projects and digitise our archive to allow further access to the public. We are completely self-funded by donations and grants which enable us to attend public events and continue to promote the heritage of the vessel and London’s Fire-fighting history .

If you would like to donate towards the Trust, please visit our website for one off donations or to consider becoming a volunteer or supporter of the Society.

Donations: https://www.masseyshaw.org/donate/

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife.

HLF contacts

Website: www.hlf.org.uk
Twitter: @heritagelottery
Twitter: @HLFLondon

Massey Shaw contacts

Email: info@masseyshaw.org
Website: www.masseyshaw.org
Twitter: @themasseyshaw
Facebook: /masseyshaw

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