What Next?
However we have all experienced 2020, one thing we can all agree on is that it wasn’t the year we intended. If you had told me in 2019 that in less than a year I would be hailed online as an “influencer”, I certainly would have had to sit down. Mind you, I found myself retweeting health advice from Jedward the other day, so maybe nothing shocks me anymore.
Despite this, last week I was astounded to be named one of the world’s 50 top museum influencers by Blooloop. After initially believing the announcement tweet to be referencing another Rachel Mackay, my next stage of denial was to assume that my newfound fame stemmed from the moment earlier in the year when I accidentally went viral by making a weak joke about King George III not paying his TV licence.
However, when the good people of Blooloop sent through some further info, I was relieved and astonished to hear that the reason for my nomination was in fact all this: The Recovery Room.
“This year, in response to the lockdown, Mackay created The Recovery Room. This is a website resource for her fellow museum and attractions professionals to help them navigate and manage through the impact of Covid-19 crisis. It has a particular focus on operations and has been a vital resource for museum professionals as their sites look to reopen.
During her time on furlough from her role at Kew this summer, Mackay has focussed on helping heritage charities and attractions rebuild and recover from the pandemic. She has provided pro bono consultation services on reopening plans and conducted a Masters research project analysing how museums and cultural organisations in the UK have responded to the pandemic from a crisis management point of view.”
You can read the rest of the article, and see who else is on the list, here.
Initially, I really struggled with feelings of uselessness on furlough, so to have the work I’ve done in the sector recognised feels amazing! I don’t know who nominated me, so if it was you, or if you have visited, used, or spoken about The Recovery Room, a big thank you!
Next month, I’ll finally be returning to Kew Palace, and I can’t wait to get back on site and planning for reopening in 2021.
I really want to continue my work in heritage recovery as well, so I’m opening up some availability to continue with freelance projects. If you want to find out more about how I might be able to help your organisation, click below!
