Kegworth Heritage Centre

Accrediitation

Kegworth Heritage Centre

Accreditation 2025

Accreditation At Kegworth Heritage Centre


We have now submitted our return to the UK Arts Council to establish whether we meet the requirements for Accreditation. This involved sending a number of documents through an electronic portal which will then be assessed against the Accreditation Standard by a panel of museum experts.

Kegworth Museum was previously accredited in 1995 and renewed in 2010 but in February 2013 the committee decided not to continue with the accreditation programme. After 2018 when a new board was appointed, there was a split in opinion as to whether to pursue accreditation under the new scheme and the idea was left on the back-burner.

In 2020, when the current board took over KHC it was unanimously agreed that we should enrol in the new "Working To Accreditation" Programme and since then we have been diligently working in the background to rebuild all our documentation, policies and processes to see the requirements of the standard.

It has been a huge amount of work, but we believe that small, volunteer run museums like ours will be at huge risk in the future unless they have achieved this recognition.

What is the UK Museum Accreditation Scheme?


The UK Museum Accreditation Scheme, managed by Arts Council England, is the national quality standard for museums of all sizes and types. It sets out clear, practical requirements for how museums manage their collections, care for visitors, engage with communities, and operate as a sustainable organisation.

Accreditation is a voluntary scheme, but it offers vital recognition, demonstrating that a museum meets national standards for professionalism, governance, and public service. For small, volunteer-led museums, it’s a powerful tool that helps secure funding, build trust with audiences, and ensure long-term resilience and impact.

Why Accreditation Matters for Kegworth Heritage Centre - The Benefits


1️⃣ Credibility and Reputation

  • It shows we meet national standards in caring for collections, governance, and public service.
  • Builds trust with visitors, donors, funders, and partners.
  • Tells the world: 'We’re serious about what we do!'
2️⃣ Access to Funding

  • Many funders require or prefer museums to be accredited (e.g., Heritage Fund, MDM).
  • Opens doors to grants for collections care, learning projects, and capital works.
  • It will help us access funds from trusts and philanthropy groups currently closed to us
3️⃣ Professional Standards and Future-Proofing

  • Helps us improve our policies, procedures, and documentation.
  • Ensures our collections are properly managed and safeguarded for the future.
  • Makes the museum more resilient and ready for whatever comes next.
4️⃣ Support and Networking

  • Links us into a network of accredited museums for advice, training, and shared projects.
  • Gives access to Museum Development support and sector expertise.
5️⃣ Boost for Volunteers and Trustees

  • Guides our team with a clear framework for decision-making and best practice.
  • Helps us recruit and retain volunteers by showing we’re a respected organisation.
6️⃣ Increased Public Confidence

  • Visitors know they’re supporting a museum that’s committed to high standards.
  • Helps us grow audiences and make a bigger impact in the community.