News

First Family Friendly Conference is a success

20 December 2017

a group of people working at a table

In November 2017, Coventry Transport Museum played host to Culture Coventry’s first Family Friendly Conference. Speakers, workshop leaders and delegates joined us from up and down the country, including representatives from the V&A, The Fitzwilliam Museum, and 2016 Kids in Museums winner, York Art Gallery.

The day started off with an inspiring key-note speech from Dea Birkett (Creative Director of Kids in Museums). Then, the conference got underway with a mixture of speeches and workshops which “made the day feel fast paced and fun”, and provided the delegates with inspiration and ‘how to’ tips.

group of people round a table with papers and pens

The speeches throughout the day covered a range of topics including developing programming for Early Years, and SEND families, as well as HLF funding. The variety of talks catered to the differing needs of museum professionals at individual stages of their career, with participants commenting that it supported “longer term ideas and aspirations”.

a group of people watch a presentation
The workshops proved particularly popular and included: community festivals, 'trash to treasure', creating stories, STEM, and forest schools. Delegates enjoyed the variety on offer, and the opportunity for hands-on activities. During the session they developed “confidence to put the skills learned into practice”.

Comments from enthusiastic participants included:

"I thoroughly enjoyed the day and left with a mixture of practical ideas to use straight away back at my museum as well as some longer term ideas and aspirations after hearing about the projects going on around the country."

"The atmosphere was creative and collaborative, just what I needed to boost my family friendly programming!’’

“It was great to have a mixture of case study talks to listen to as well as hands-on practical workshops, which made the day feel fast paced and fun. I was able to network with a lot of like-minded museum professionals during the workshops and breaks throughout the day, and have made good contacts which will help me as I develop new areas of work in the future.”

“I have participated in the Storytelling workshop which both inspired me and gave me confidence to put the skills learned into practice in my workplace.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the talks which were all relevant to the topic of family friendly and have offered a great overview of the family friendly movement across the sector. All speakers conveyed information with the delegates that left food for thought and increased belief in the museum as a family friendly space.”

“The food was delicious.”

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