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 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 ---- OUTLINE PROGRAMME & BOOKING FORM - NOW AVAILABLE ! - Update posted June 2023 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 ...

Friends’ Trips 2023

Trips are open to all BAfM Friends and partners. Venice Trip: Dan has arranged a trip to Venice, 30 January – 4 February 2023. ...Read more ...

BAFM news

Newsletter of the Year Award 2023

Oct 13, 2023

BAFM are pleased to announce the winner of this year's Newsletter Award. In a very strong field, the final choice was Artefacts, the Newsletter of the Friends of Birmingham Museums and Archives.Read more ...

Young Museum Professional Award

Mar 21, 2023

BAFM aims to help young museum professionals realize their curatorial ambitions and further the aims of their institution by offering an annual award for ...Read more ...

Friends of the Year Award 2023

Jan 11, 2023

BAFM is proud to announce the launch of the 2023 Friends of the Year Award. This award follows on from last year’s BAFM Impact ...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