Issue 36 2023 - Journal - Page 66
Above, Roseanna Killeen a Cardiff University Masters student, pictured air sampling in the National Trust Erddig Hall’s Library.
© Connect-Conserve|Cyswllt-Cadwraeth Cymru.
business model this saves time and helps avoid lengthy
learning curves and repeating simple mistakes. This
initiative also reduces lone working, bringing not only the
physical, health and safety benefits, but the mental health
benefits too, as we know that lockdown intensified the
challenges of living and working alone.
Since trading, Connect has enabled Wales based
accredited conservators to work collaboratively, and
effectively tender for projects. Any profits gained are used
to support trainee conservators, students, individuals
following the PACR pathway and smaller museums
and community organisations with free collection care
initiatives and training.
Being a social business is not just about looking out for
others, it is also about providing our conservation services
and knowledge for free, where it is really needed. There
are community groups in Wales that tell the story of
their communities through their collections. They are
supported financially for providing a service to their
communities, but not for conserving their significant
collections, so Connect can offer this support, and we
hope to have success stories in the future.
Connect-Conserve|Cyswllt-Cadwraeth Cymru has
so far • A membership of 28 accredited conservators working
in Wales.
• Successfully won 9 assignments
• Employed 11 conservators/specialists
• Offered placement opportunities for students
• Provided opportunities and projects to expand the
work portfolios for non-accredited conservators
• Explored a pilot scheme to share on-line access to
conservation records
In a change to my previous working practice, I have
offered my time for free to a fellow conservator, who then
reciprocated the same amount of time for a Connect project. Although not sustainable in the long term, we both
learnt something new, it got us away from doing the same
work and it was generally a very positive experience.
We also identified that we work well together and have
initiated future projects together.
Benefits of Working together
It is a Community Interest Company made up of a
cooperative of conservators working together but not for
profit. By working together, we cut down on resources,
such as materials, tools and car sharing. We share our
broad and varied skills and knowledge, and we can discuss
approaches to work and problem solve as a group. As a
We currently have a membership of 28 conservators
working in Wales. Every one of these individuals is offered
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