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

52nd BAFM Annual Conference 2025 in Bristol – Saturday 4 October

BAFM, in partnership with The Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives look forward to welcoming you for this year’s BAFM Annual Conference. As ...Read more ...

BAFM news

52nd BAFM Annual Conference 2025 in Bristol – Saturday 4 October

May 20, 2025

BAFM, in partnership with The Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives look forward to welcoming you for this year’s BAFM Annual Conference. As ...Read more ...

BAFM Awards launched

May 20, 2025

This year BAFM will be awarding three prizes, details of which can be found on the ‘Awards‘ section of the website, as well as ...Read more ...

Partnership with the Marsh Charitable Trust continues to grow

Jan 27, 2025

BAFM is pleased to announce that the Marsh Charitable Trust has agreed to continue their involvement in the Friends of the Year Award in ...Read more ...

Member Benefits

  • Join the family of like minded organisations
  • Advice and guidance
  • Access to competitive group Insurance scheme
  • BAFM Journal 2 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