The British Association of Friends of Museums, BAFM, is here to help, encourage, inform and advise friends, supporters and volunteers of museums, galleries, and other cultural organisations in all sections of our UK heritage.

We support local Friends’ groups, keep them informed about items of benefit, and provide a network to help share problems and solutions.

Read more about BAFM

BAFM events

BAFM 51st AGM & CONFERENCE 2024

The British Association of Friends of Museums 51st Conference and AGM 2024. In partnership with the Friends of Wisbech and Fenland Museum. Conference Theme: Great Exceptions: Friends supporting museums in these financially challenging times. Friday 4th - Sunday 6th October 2024. --- OUTLINE PROGRAMME & BOOKING FORM AVAILABLE NOW ON THE EVENT PAGERead more ...

BAFM 50th AGM & Conference 2023, Doncaster

29TH SEPTEMBER – 1ST OCTOBER 2023 IN DONCASTER Hosted by the Friends of Doncaster Museums Conference Theme: Regeneration in Challenging Times, Venue: The Mansion House Doncaster ---- Read more ...

BAFM Inter-Regional Meeting for North East and Yorkshire Regions

Saturday 25th March 2023 The Friends of The Bowes Museum in Teesdale, Co. Durham, invite members of the BAFM Groups from both regions to ...Read more ...

BAFM news

BAFM Friends of the Year 2024 Award

Jan 22, 2024

BAFM is pleased to announce that for the latest version of the Friends of the Year Award, we will be working in partnership with ...Read more ...

British Association of Friends of Museums Friends of the Year Award 2023

Jan 17, 2024

The winner of the Friends of the Year Award was announced at the Doncaster Conference on 30th September 2023. The award, which supersedes the ...Read more ...

BAFM Young Professional of the Year Award 2023

Jan 11, 2024

The British Association of Friends of Museums are pleased to announce the winner of the BAFM Young Professional of the Year Award for 2023. ...Read more ...

Member Benefits

  • Join the family of like minded organisations
  • Advice and guidance
  • Access to competitive group Insurance scheme
  • BAFM Journal 3 times a year
  • National and Regional Conferences
  • Chair’s e-newsletter every 2 months
  • Copy of ‘Handbook for Friends’
  • Copy of ‘Charter & Handbook for Heritage Volunteer Managers & Administrators
  • Networking opportunities

Testimonials

As a first time attendee to a BAFM Regional Day I found this invaluable. I thought it was really interesting hearing what other Friends’ groups are doing. I will certainly attend future ones.

Bill Rhodes
Chairman of Friends of Gressenhall, Dereham, Norfolk

As a new Friends' group, BAFM has proved an excellent source of information and support for us, and a good way of meeting up and exchanging ideas with others.

Angela Conyers,
Chair, Friends of Folkestone Museum, Kent

From insurance to legal guidance, from ethics to fund raising and as a supreme networking tool, BAFM is there to assist and advise. In essence, BAFM is the friend of all Friends and support groups.

Ian Bean,
Director of Projects of the Friends of Beamish