The creation of two new posts will address the issues, highlighted by various studies, that awareness of the Pilgrims’ story is relatively low amongst younger people, through the newly created role of a Heritage Engagement Officer (HEO). The HEO is tasked with taking the story out to schools, supported by learning resource boxes, costumes and activities designed for different key stages. These will stimulate learning and debate amongst pupils and teachers to understand life of centuries past and to help the understanding of why the families left everything behind to pursue a spiritual ideal.
The challenge will be for students to compare the migration issues across the world today with the motivations of the Pilgrim families. Such sessions will take place at schools or at the Museum. We will develop a learning resource pack, informed by specific feedback through consultation with the education sector during the Development Stage. Informal learning opportunities will also be core to the Project and embedded in most of our activities. Lifelong learning will be available for wider groups including community groups, heritage organisations, adult learners and intergenerational groups.
The HEO and Project Support Officer are the prime interface between the Project, visitors, learning, events and Pilgrim sites. They also act as intermediaries for individual travellers and group visits, liaise between tour operators and churches, and can organise refreshment stops and accommodation needs for visitors.