Residents are invited to play a vital role in preserving Thurrock's rich heritage as part of an ambitious community project that celebrates the borough's unique history. Routes to Roots, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is helping to bring old and new communities together to care for, explore and celebrate our past at the Thurrock Museum.
The museum, which dates from 1910, houses close to 30,000 artefacts, many donated by local people, offering a glimpse into the lives of Thurrock residents through the decades. New volunteers will support crucial museum activities, including updating the specialist database and re-boxing artefacts to ensure their long-term preservation.
This work will enhance the care of the museum's collections and foster opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and generations to learn from each other, building a shared appreciation of Thurrock's heritage. Councillor George Monk, Cabinet Member for Heritage and Culture, stated, "Routes to Roots is a wonderful example of how heritage can bring people together. Our history belongs to everyone, whether your family has lived in Thurrock for generations or you've recently made the borough your home."
Previous volunteers have found the project rewarding. Rawan shared, “I met so many lovely, knowledgeable, and welcoming people and learned new skills that strengthened my abilities. It encouraged me to apply for a job, which I successfully achieved.” Khamail added, “I had the opportunity to work with historical collections, handle precious and delicate artefacts, and carry out data entry. This experience gave me valuable experience and the confidence to take the next step in my career.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, learning new skills, meeting new people, and helping preserve Thurrock's heritage is encouraged to get involved. For more information about the Routes to Roots project and volunteering opportunities, visit: Current Volunteer Opportunities | Volunteering vacancies | Thurrock Council.
Routes to Roots is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. The project has also piloted two educational programmes with local college students, which have helped improve the Museum’s displays.
