The annual conference of the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) congregated at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, last week to discuss Volunteering in the Independent Museum.

Jenny Abramsky addressed the convention to express the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) aspirations for the sustainability and growth of the sector during the difficult economic climate.

The HLF chair said: "In this time of recession we all have to review the way we work, our priorities and what really matters."

Abramsky suggested that the number of training bursary schemes run by the HLF in partnership with the independent museums sector should be doubled to provide 3,000 trainees with the opportunity to acquire new skills in the hope of securing future employment.

By encouraging younger people to take advantage of training in areas such as textile conservation, dry stone walling and heritage horticulture, Abramsky argued that the future generation will be shown how wonderful and varied a career in heritage and museums can be.

Those made redundant in the older generation, on the other hand, should be encouraged to volunteer their skills in new ways for local benefit.

The audience of independent museum members was also reassured that although this year's money pot of £180m for new heritage projects is smaller than in previous years, the application process for heritage grants (those over £50,000) has been simplified to cut time and costs.

Organisations are no longer required to put together a fully worked up application at the first round, but can instead contact the HLF with an outline of their ideas, costs and benefits.

If successful, a first round pass is awarded to facilitate the submission of a final bid within the next eighteen months. In addition, the application forms and materials are now available online.

Abramsky concluded that if the independent museums sector is to continue to thrive during the recession, it must "harness the enormous public interest in our sector and raise our profile to have greater involvement with key decisions about this country's unique and precious heritage".