Twenty years ago, Watford Museum was planning an exhibition to be called Goal-den Years that would focus on the highly successful Graham Taylor eras at Watford Football Club. During the extensive research work that goes into an exhibition, Museum curator Sarah found that a theme soon became clear.
“Part of that was mapping out the community history and discovering about the Junior Hornets scheme and the Trust, seeing how much it meant to people, and collecting some of those stories. People were telling me this is important; this needs to be collected and needs to be shared.”
From there, a relationship formed between the Trust and both the Museum and its curator, Sarah, who also happened to be a football fan and now Watford FC season- ticket holder.
“We were then working together with the Learning Centre (a space at Vicarage Road Stadium managed by the Trust), talking to the young people and children, helping them connect with the Club. They (the Trust) were doing amazing things there.”
That important connection continued and over the years, there have been countless examples of collaboration for the benefit of the local community. A particular project highlighted by Sarah was the engagement with sixteen and seventeen-year-olds as part of the Trust’s delivery of the National Citizen Service. Teenagers soon got to work on painting walls and helping collect items for a specific Watford FC section, including the FA Cup final rosette from 1984. Another was the Heritage Lottery Funded project for the Trust’s 25th year anniversary celebrations, supporting the collation of stories for the commemorative book and hosting a unique exhibition looking back at the charity’s history.
The partnership then expanded further still, with the pivotal role of Watford Museum in the early stages of a brand-new project – Golden Memories. Using recollections, merchandise, and unique items to shape the success of the programme, supporting people with a mild-to-moderate dementia diagnosis to reminiscence about times familiar to them.
“That was so exciting for us, seeing how history and football heritage can really connect and help bring people joy.”
The list could go on and on, as the Museum continues to support, most recently being a stop off as part of the fundraising charity walk – The Taylor Trek. Yet, this wasn’t just a partnership of organisations, but a partnership of people, as the Trust also helped Sarah and her family.
“I’ve now started to go to Feel Good Fitness at the Meriden Community Centre. I’ve not been to a gym in way over 30 years and for me, I don’t think I could have gone anywhere else, but knowing it was the Trust, I felt I could go and I’m absolutely loving it. Helping people lead happier, healthier lives is incredible.”
As the mum of a trans teenager, the work the Trust and Club both carry out in the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) space is also vitally important and a reason for pride from Sarah.
“Everything is so inclusive, so I know my family would be included. It’s really important to me to know the Club and Trust cares.”
There’s clearly a mutual benefit here and Sarah is clear why this relationship works:
“The Trust is just amazing, so inspiring, and they do so much. It’s out there making such a difference and always looking to improve and looking for the next opportunity and challenge. I love that.”