'Increasing Community Knowledge.'

A Brief for American Express Delegates at Knole House NT Property

Introduction

The National Trust has been working with Strategis to develop experiential learning options into bespoke training programmes for corporate clients. This relationship has proved to be very successful in terms of mutual benefit to clients and host. By taking real life operational needs from a multifaceted voluntary sector organisation delegates are involved in a range of diverse, challenging and rewarding projects that provide a unique learning journey whilst being beneficial to both the local community and The National Trust.

Context

This particular experiential event will be set at Knole, one of England's greatest show houses. The Trust has identified that the local community do not appear to visit the House as often as might be expected. Considering that that the NT is about to launch a £2m bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring wonderful new areas of the House into the public domain, local views are sought to ensure that plans for use of these areas are likely to provide interest and attraction to the community at large.
Our aim is to provide tangible solutions to specific data already identified and recognise further ideas which will increase the community's awareness of the history, art and culture available to them within the House. In addition, a systematic analysis of where Knole sits on the local tourism map will be required.

The Project

In order to carry out organisational promotion and to ensure the local community recognise the benefits that Knole can offer plus create additional, sustainable revenue streams, the project needs to deliver the following objectives:

1. Design a questionnaire to establish the mind-set of the local community testing ideas on cost acceptance, and subsequent reasons that would encourage them to visit the house on a more regular basis.
2. Ascertain the possibilities for mutually beneficial partnerships with local organisations, such as the Library, District Council and local schools, to heighten the awareness of what Knole has to offer and establish current attitudes and how these might develop.
3. Working on data already collated plus any additional ideas created, compose a document on practical and realistic solutions to increase revenue and community awareness.
4. Deliver an on-site end of presentation to American Express, Strategis, and National Trust Management.