Tours
Rooted in preserving the legacy of Wordsworth and the Romantic period, The Wordsworth Trust brings art and literature alive for tens of thousands of people every year. The Trust sought to create ‘Premier Tours,’ offering a tailored experience for individuals or families. However, as the programme progressed, a significant shift occurred. Instead of emulating high-end dining experiences, the team embraced authenticity. Working with local artisans to recreate the essence of Wordsworth’s era, including tea, coffee, and period-inspired cakes, brought a unique and genuine touch to the tours. They would feel more like what a ‘Wordsworth’ would experience.
The team felt that the programme provided the right ‘dynamism’ that the Arts Council looks for, but also what the museum looks for in its future development. A previous participant of the programme encouraged them to sign up.
Programme Impact
The Trust’s Director, Michael McGregor, emphasised the transformative impact of Steps to Sustainability during a visit.
He reflected that, with a newfound model in place, the organisation is poised to leverage internal expertise for future projects. The Profit Purpose matrix continues to be a guiding tool, particularly in navigating the challenges of monetising activities within the museum sector. This reflection underscores the enduring impact of Steps to Sustainability on the organisation’s strategic thinking and operational approach.
Beyond the immediate project goals, the programme played a pivotal role in securing Resilience and Recovery funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The legacy of the programme extends beyond financial support; it has become ingrained in the organisational mind-set.
“If we hadn’t done Steps to Sustainability, we wouldn’t have considered resilience funding.”
The Wordsworth Trust identified several tools and resources provided by Steps to Sustainability as invaluable. Tools like the Profit Purpose matrix, The Why?, and considerations of the visitor journey have become integral to their decision-making processes, ensuring strategic alignment and meaningful visitor experiences.
The team’s stand-out moments from the programme were:
