A new way of volunteering – with The Arts Society

Recent years – and lockdowns – have changed the way you can volunteer. Ciaran Sneddon examines one archive project, a partnership between The Arts Society and The National Archives, that’s flourishing in these work-from-home years

The lockdown effect on all aspects of life has been much reported, analysed and discussed: in-person gatherings suffered; banana breads, sourdoughs, subscription boxes and parcels prospered. 

It should be of little surprise, then, that a partnership between The Arts Society and The National Archives has emerged as a small victor of the pandemic years: after all, it has cleverly combined the principles of home deliveries with the rewards of heritage volunteering.

The project in question is ‘Copy 1’, an initiative that began in March 2020, when the lockdown came into effect. 

An artwork archived in the ‘Copy 1’ project: ‘Pa learns to ride a horse’ by Tom Browne, 1907. Image: The National Archives 

Its premise is straightforward. First, volunteers receive a parcel of handwritten entry-form records; these records were all seeking copyright protection for paintings and drawings created between 1862 and 1912. The volunteers can then, at their own pace, transcribe these records to digital form and return them to The National Archives to aid future researchers.

‘The idea was suddenly sparked because we had a desire for remote, work-at-home projects over the lockdowns,’ explains Hilary Olleson, Head of Heritage Volunteers at The Arts Society. ‘What we’re working with now are submissions to the Stationers’ Company for copyright – they cover pictures and advertising in magazines, or items such as the wrapping paper around your butter. Some of these may well be items from the beginning of colour illustrations. Many of them are so clever and amusing – I can remember seeing them in my parents’ old annuals. They were the illustrations that suddenly brightened life at that period.’

As a silver lining to the cloud of pandemic, projects such as this have truly blossomed. As Hilary explains: ‘My branch of volunteering – heritage volunteering – is heavily involved in helping libraries. But of course they were all shut during lockdowns, reducing opportunities for people to get involved in this rewarding form of work.’ As it took a long time to get back to normal, the disruption led to some long-standing volunteers deciding to take a step back from their roles, while others, who were still having to be at home, had more time than ever before to commit to good causes.

A Cadbury’s Cocoa advertisement from 1903. Image: The National Archives

Copy 1’ has ticked the box for many would-be volunteers. 

‘It doesn’t matter if you’re on an island off the coast or anywhere else – you can still take part,’ says Hilary. ‘And there is no deadline; the project can wait for you to have a spare moment, which adds to the ease. You receive the handwritten documents, and you send in your digitised version when you can. It’s very simple.’

What’s more, the project is going to last. ‘We have hundreds of boxes of these documents all waiting to be digitised,’ says Hilary. ‘We’re not going to run out anytime soon!’

Tim Helliwell, a volunteer on the project, finds working on it, ‘despite the variable legibility of the handwriting, remarkably straightforward, with the ArtUK website and other web resources clarifying any uncertainties. The task is educational and informative and you always feel inclined to do just one more page.’

Colman’s Mustard packaging, 1886. Image: The National Archives 

This initiative isn’t just rewarding for volunteers. It is also proving to be of real assistance to The National Archives and to generations of future art historians. 

‘This vital work by volunteers means that, for the first time, researchers and members of the public can begin to find these wonderful images by searching for names of artists, publishers and keywords,’ explains Dr Katherine Howells, principal records specialist in visual collections at The National Archives. ‘This improves accessibility and opens up new opportunities for the study of Victorian and Edwardian art, culture and society, none of which would be possible without the valued contribution of volunteers.’

Get involved!

‘Copy 1’ is a volunteering programme open to anyone with an interest in art or history. If you are a member or supporter of The Arts Society and would like more information, email Hilary Olleson on hilary.olleson@gmail.comwith your name and that of the Society to which you belong or support, your member details and your full address