DCMS blog

Re-opening the Natural History Museum

Richard Orr

Richard Orr, August 21, 2020 — Enjoy Summer Safely

Head of Marketing, Natural History Museum

You’d have thought re-opening the Museum would be a simple task, switch everything back on and open the doors and they’ll come rushing back. That is where the issue lies. With the new normal comes new responsibilities. Without dwelling on the finer details of how we can keep everyone safe when they visit, I’d just…

Libraries: A place to learn to love culture

Libraries Connected

Libraries Connected, — Enjoy Summer Safely

‘I always thought art was not for people like me, how wrong I was.’ Library art club member Libraries are often the first place people experience art and culture. Whether it is a crafts session with an emerging artist or a live music concert in a city centre library – libraries know how to create…

Stonehenge: Meeting new challenges at the ancient monument

Jennifer Davies

Jennifer Davies, August 20, 2020 — Enjoy Summer Safely

English Heritage’s Head of Historic Properties for Stonehenge

On 18 March, as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic began to be felt, Stonehenge closed its doors to the public, along with more than 400 English Heritage sites. In an ordinary year, the celebrated ancient monument welcomes 1.6 million visitors, but overnight the numbers of people on site was reduced to just a handful…

Reopening success for independent museums 

Emma Chaplin

Emma Chaplin, August 19, 2020 — Enjoy Summer Safely

Director, Association of Independent Museums

AIM, the Association for Independent Museums, is a thriving membership network for independent museums, galleries and heritage organisations across the UK. Here, Director of AIM, Emma Chaplin, shares highlights on how members are facing the challenge of reopening and making the most of the opportunities this presents.   Covid-19 has been a challenge like no other…

Monkstown Boxing Club – #CommunitiesCan

National Emergencies Trust

National Emergencies Trust, August 13, 2020 — #CommunitiesCan

Monkstown Boxing Club, in Northern Ireland, is delivering 300 meals every week to people most affected by coronavirus in its community. From the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, Monkstown Boxing Club knew that its local community would be heavily affected – with pensioners, families and those suffering from poor health all needing urgent help.  With…

Wholehearted Childhood, supporting wellbeing through nature – #CommunitiesCan

Helen Nistala

Helen Nistala, August 12, 2020 — #CommunitiesCan

Founder, Wholehearted Childhood

Wholehearted Childhood is a new organisation with a mission to help children and their communities to flourish, wholeheartedly engaged in the natural world. In March, we were looking forward to a summer of events, bringing groups of looked after children and their foster carers together to enjoy the outdoors, supported by the National Lottery Heritage…

The Door Youth Project – #CommunitiesCan

Barrie Voyce

Barrie Voyce, — #CommunitiesCan

Business Development Director, The Door Youth Project

When lockdown started and many charities were forced to close, directors of Gloucestershire youth charity The Door made the decision to stay open. We already knew that for the vulnerable young people we support anxiety levels were rising. As the threat of the pandemic increased, and the prospect of school, mental health services and other…

Sunshine & Smiles with Leeds Down Syndrome Network – #CommunitiesCan

Ailith Harley-Roberts

Ailith Harley-Roberts, August 10, 2020 — #CommunitiesCan

Service Manager, Sunshine and Smiles

On 15th March we took the incredibly difficult decision to close our shop & café, 21 Co. due to the mounting concerns about the Coronavirus pandemic.  21 Co. is part of Sunshine & Smiles – Leeds Down Syndrome Network and offers paid work opportunities for 10 young people who have Down Syndrome.  As the week…

Ability Bow – An exercise lifeline #CommunitiesCan

Victoria Kent

Victoria Kent, August 4, 2020 — #CommunitiesCan

Founder and CEO, Ability Bow

Ability Bow provides an exercise lifeline in east London, supporting people who have disabilities and those living with life-changing health conditions such as diabetes, strokes and cancer. Whilst lockdown restrictions have been eased this is not the case for our community, many of whom are still shielding. The people we normally support in our gym…

Smell the Roses – #CommunitiesCan

Pauline Grant

Pauline Grant, July 28, 2020 — #CommunitiesCan

Founder and Chair, Smell the Roses

Smell the Roses is a small and new charity in the North East of England.  We offer ReTreat Days to mums/female carers who have children of any age with any form of additional need.  The days consist of creative workshops, pampers, a quiet room, a peer support room and our Wellbeing Coordinator Flo Foster’s massage…