Our Heritage Officer, Gemma Bailey

Our Heritage Officer Gemma Bailey is delivering an exciting programme of activities funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, engaging local communities with the church building and mosaic. Following the completion of her Masters degree in Art Gallery & Museum Studies at the University of Manchester, Gemma worked in art galleries and museums across Yorkshire, including Bradford Museums & Galleries, Thackray Museum of Medicine and Craven Museum. She was a trustee for the Yorkshire & Humberside Federation of Museums & Galleries for 3 years and is passionate about providing new and exciting ways for the public to access their heritage. She has extensive experience working with heritage collections and engaging communities, delivering ambitious events for the public and leading creative workshops for families, young people and people living with dementia.

As part of her role at St John the Baptist Church, Gemma is recruiting and managing our growing team of volunteers of varying ages and from diverse backgrounds. She is supporting volunteers with various projects including research and interpretation of the varied history of the church building and its communities, collecting oral histories from local people and improving the church garden with the help of local school children. She is also coordinating and implementing a range of heritage activities to engage with the local community, including project displays and exhibitions, family workshops and public events that will open-up the church to new audiences.

If you would like to find out more about the opportunities for volunteering at St John’s, do contact Gemma at gemma.bailey@dioceseofsalford.org.uk