The Road Ahead: Our Programme Outline for IWAC
1960
Our Founder, Joyce L. Elam, saw a large watermill for sale on the banks of the River Thames close to Oxford with plenty of parking space.
With the aim of establishing an educational centre where the T.C’s (The Collections) could be housed and displayed, she put in her offer to buy it but in her enthusiasm she carelessly talked about it to someone whose boss was looking for a warehouse for his company’s book stock. Gezumped, her plans collapsed.1976
Still project chasing her goals, she discovered Abergwen, a derelict woollen mill in Wales, secured the finance to buy it from a friend, restored it, and finally opened her visitor centre, nicknamed ‘World of Water’ by its visitors.
1980
Undaunted by all the loss and damage, Joyce salvaged as much of the collections as she could, putting them into storage where they were viewed by Dr. Seddon, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
1982
The Collections formed the basis for the Future and History of Aquaculture exhibition, Birmingham, UK.
1984
The Collections toured the UK with the West Midlands Museum Service thanks to the foresight of Jocelyn Orchard, and called for the careful, ecologically balanced development of Aquaculture.
1986
Joyce is granted UK Registered Charity Status for World of Water (WOW), hands over her role as secretary to Jill Kirby, becomes Vice President and tours the World promoting her charity’s aims in schools.
1995
WOW becomes a kitchen table charity then in 1996, moves its base back to Wales to host retreats for UK inner city groups and international volunteers.
1995 – 2019
Whilst looking for a new base, WOW provides educational outreach for schools and local organisations at events in partnership with Peter Scott, M.A. Image of Learning.
2011
WOW’s imprint, Little People Books, publishes two early reading schemes for pre-school education years 3 -4.
2013
Sadly, Joyce dies, having devoted her life to the stage and to teaching.
Her educational aims and the project she started, continue. WOW!
2023
Following a two month research programme into AI, WOW’s imprint, Little People Books, opens a media site to publish integrated materials, to “empower parents, teachers, and carers alike, equipping them with the tools to nurture young minds and guide children towards a deeper understanding of the wonders of life“.
2024
Today, WOW carries forward Joyce’s vision, and the International Water Awareness Corpus (IWAC) represents the next big step. Our plan is ready, and once we secure the right base for the project, we’ll be moving forward at full steam.
Our Plan for IWAC’s Future
While we search for a new starting location, our roadmap remains constant, guiding us from concept to an international water awareness hub. Here’s how we’ll proceed once the foundation is in place:
Phase 1: Getting Started (Months 1-3)
Once we’ve secured a suitable base, the first step will be to lay the groundwork. We’ll kick things off with a meeting to engage stakeholders, define our goals, and establish a project team. From there, we’ll refine our detailed project plan to ensure every task and timeline is mapped out. A public launch event will introduce IWAC to the local community, sparking the initial excitement around the project.
Phase 2: Building Partnerships and Support (Months 4-8)
Next, we’ll focus on building relationships and expanding our reach. This includes identifying potential UK and global partners, as well as launching a volunteer recruitment campaign. By engaging communities and collaborators early, we’ll ensure IWAC has the strong foundation of people and resources it needs to thrive.
Phase 3: Securing Funding and Establishing a Base (Months 9-12)
Once we have the right building in place, we’ll dive into securing funding. We’ll be meeting with potential sponsors and donors to bring our vision to life, while setting up a dedicated space for presentations, discussions, and planning. This is the crucial stage where IWAC begins to take physical form.
Phase 4: Grant Applications and Environmental Initiatives (Months 13-16)
With the base secured and the initial funding in place, we’ll turn our attention to grant applications and environmental planning. Our aim is to integrate sustainability into every aspect of IWAC, ensuring that both the building and the centre’s activities reflect our environmental ethos.
Phase 5: Expanding the Vision (Months 17-24)
As we move into the second year, IWAC’s focus will shift toward international collaboration. We’ll be forging partnerships with global researchers, organizations, and water-focused initiatives. The long-term goal is to position IWAC as a global hub for water research and education, expanding both its impact and reach.
Phase 6: Facility Development and Public Engagement (Months 25-30)
With our base in development, we’ll begin creating interactive exhibits and educational features for the public. Pre-launch events will generate excitement and feedback from the local community, ensuring that IWAC remains a dynamic and inclusive space for learning and collaboration.
Phase 7: Grand Opening and Beyond (Months 31-36)
Once the facility is ready, we’ll host a grand opening to officially launch IWAC. This will mark the start of its journey as a fully operational centre for water awareness, education, and research. Post-launch, we’ll conduct evaluations to refine the centre’s operations and continue building toward our long-term goals.
A Snapshot of the First Three Months:
Here’s what we envision for the first three months after we’ve established a base:
Week 1-2: Begin exhibition design and connect with local contractors for necessary building work.
Week 3-4: Finalize exhibition designs and begin drafting grant applications to support the project’s early stages.
Week 5-6: Secure quotes from contractors, finalize property agreements, and start developing a detailed fundraising strategy.
Looking at the Bigger Picture: A Year of Progress and Beyond
While the immediate task is to secure a base, we have a clear plan for the entire first year. This includes finalizing the property, completing initial repairs, and hosting IWAC’s first exhibition. In Years 2 and 3, we’ll expand globally, developing international partnerships, and launching specialized exhibitions to engage both local and global audiences.
Looking further ahead, our five-year plan includes introducing advanced technology into our exhibits, hosting major water conferences, and contributing to global water research. Even without a building in place yet, these goals remain firmly within our sights.
Moving Forward with Optimism
This journey will take a few more twists and turns, but we’re committed to navigating them—just as Joyce did so many times before us. Together, we’ll make IWAC a reality, one step at a time.
Join the Corpus. Transform the future of water awareness and education by partnering with the International Water Awareness Corpus (IWAC). Whether you’re an investor, academic, corporate sponsor, or passionate individual, your support can help us create a lasting impact—let’s make waves together!
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