DCMS blog

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…

Enjoy Summer Safely in Lincolnshire

Charlotte Goy

Charlotte Goy, July 22, 2020 — Enjoy Summer Safely

CEO, Visit Lincoln

Lincolnshire – the best of city, countryside, and coast. Throw in heritage, culture, aviation, exceptional food and it’s easy to see why it is a well-loved destination. An active role in Tourism However, no-one could have predicted the challenges 2020 would present.  So to hear that Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston MP, himself a Lincoln lad,…

Ruby’s Fund – our passion is to support families of children with SEND #CommuntiesCan

Helen Davies

Helen Davies, July 17, 2020 — Civil Society

Thriving Families Manager at Ruby’s Fund

The effects of COVID 19 have had a huge impact on families of children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Disruption to schooling, lack of childcare, cancelled medical and therapy appointments, family and friend support networks unable to help, concerns about children with fragile health becoming ill and changes to valued daily routines have,…

The benefits of family reading in and out of lockdown

Dr Carina Spaulding

Dr Carina Spaulding, July 16, 2020 — Culture

Research & Evaluation Manager, The Reading Agency

As a charity dedicated to working towards a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life, we at The Reading Agency have been keenly interested in the ways lockdown has affected our relationship with books and reading. We partnered with Beano Brain Omnibus to survey over 10,000 7-11-year-olds across the UK to…