Line Manager: Katharine Chant (Volunteer)
Pathways Programme: Pathways to Charity and Development
Summary of Organisation: Exeter Historic Buildings Trust (EHBT) is a Charitable Trust and Company. It owns and operates St Nicholas Priory. It is a membership organisation. The Membership is run by a Membership Team and has been active since 2018 when EHBT took over the West Wing of the Priory in a Community Asset Transfer. Membership numbers hover around 100 but we need to increase this. Members are supporters of St Nicholas Priory and receive a quarterly Newsletter as well as attending and voting at the AGM of EHBT.
How did hosting an intern via the Professional Pathways programme benefit you and your organisation?
“Exeter Historic Buildings Trust is a Membership Organisation seeking to expand its Membership in support of St Nicholas Priory. We are a voluntary organisation and many of the key volunteers are long-serving and getting on in age. We must get our procedures documented to pass on. Our intern researched and produced a well-written “Membership Manual” demonstrating the communication skills of the younger generation. She also commented on how we promote becoming a Member and designed a thoughtful invitation for our first Members Only Event. She completed her hours with a guidance note on how we might procure legacies from our supporters. St Nicholas Priory, Exeter’s oldest roofed building (1087) opens to the public, operates a growing schools service and is a successful small arts venue. It is a much-cherished community asset. Its survival into the future will depend on a robust Membership.”
Given the Professional Pathways internship is 35 hours in total, how would you recommend ensuring both you and your intern(s) gain as much as possible from the experience?
“Our intern’s first day was taken up with relevant briefings from the Membership Team, our accountant, and guides. The aim was to make her feel part of things as well as enabling her to gather information. After that she reported back to me with her drafts meeting face to face. Finally, she organised the printing of the Manual with the University Print Room. It was important to see the exercise through to conclusion.”
Why would you recommend hosting an intern via Professional Pathways?
“Over the past few years we have had some outstanding student volunteers and interns. They have left a legacy of useful projects – indeed the logo on the image I am sending was created by a Pathways Intern. To be honest our progress owes much to the students.”