Diversifying Revenues
The Firing Line Museum embarked on a transformative journey through the Steps to Sustainability programme, aiming to enhance its impact as a world-class museum dedicated to the heritage of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh.
The museum’s vision includes preserving collections, sharing stories of extraordinary individuals in military service, and fostering dialogue on the Armed Forces’ role in Wales.
Initially exploring diversification of income streams more broadly, the project adapted over time to concentrate on retail offerings, community engagement, and organisational resilience. This shift allowed the museum to address immediate challenges and future-proof its operations.
At first, the participants were attracted to the programme without really knowing what to expect, but they were able to reflect that their learning has really had a lasting impact and has inspired continued learning around organisational values and workplace culture.
Programme Impact
We interviewed Rachel Adams, Museum Manager, about her experience with the Steps to Sustainability programme.
Rachel shared with us, in her own words, the impact of the programme.
“ The Steps to Sustainability programme has been a fantastic opportunity, in terms of individual, professional and organisational growth.
The programme provided me with a fresh perspective on my leadership capacity and provided me with the opportunity to take the time to explore new ways of working and a context for trying out strategic approaches within the organisation. As an organisation, it provided insight into new ways of working and having the faith to try new things without the fear of failing. I soon recognised that, even as a small organisation, we have more capacity and expertise than I had initially considered but it was the programme that gave myself, my colleagues and the organisation the confidence to just get out there and do it.
We had been hit very hard by the COVID-19 pandemic but throughout the programme I was able to see that this was not a disadvantage, but an opportunity to try to implement real change within the museum. These lessons remain as a permanent inclusion in our day to day work and has left a long-lasting legacy on the museum and our team.”
The museum emerges stronger, more engaged with its community, and better equipped to face the challenges of the future.
The team’s stand-out moments from the programme were:
