Charity archives are under threat!  With ever growing pressure on Trustees to deliver their charity’s purpose in the most cost effective manner the archives of these organisations are in many cases marginalised, poorly resourced and even under the threat of disposal and destruction.

Yet therecords of voluntary sector organisations provide a unique perspective on social problems and social policy that is of value to voluntary sector staff, trustees and volunteers as well as to a wide range of researchers and historians.

Matthew McMurray, archivist at Royal Voluntary Service, and author of a new report on Charity Archives in the 21st Century, will give a talk about his research at 12.30-2pm on 22 May 2014 in the Library Teaching Room, Newsam Library and Archives, Institute of Education, University of London. Information on the venue is available here.

Matthew will present his research – based on one to one interviews with charity archivists, those who own charity archives and those who use and monitor them – to give a new and unique view on the challenges these collections face. Matthew’s talk will be followed by a short response from Philip Gale, Private Archives Team at The National Archives. We expect a lively discussion about the value and place of voluntary sector archives, and the threats and opportunities that exist.

All are welcome to attend but you must register by emailing Georgina Brewis (g.brewis@ioe.ac.uk).