Learning and engagement exchange symposium

The morning sessions featured inspiring case studies, including Past Forward for Future Generations by Bridget Telfer and Alice Maddicott (Salisbury Museum) and Co-creating a Cabinet. Telling Shipwreck Stories with Young People from Louise Diffey and Joe Raine (Poole Museum). These examples highlighted the importance of empowering young voices and creating meaningful opportunities for co-creation. The symposium as a whole demonstrated the extensive experience and body of work amassed by the Community Curators and Learning & Engagement staff across the Wessex Museums partnership.

Community Curator and event organiser, Amy Hammet, “It was a wonderful day which gave us the opportunity to come together as a team across our partnership to share our learning and experiences. We came away from the day feeling inspired and emboldened. This event will be a catalyst for future work, particularly in collaborative working between the museums.”

The afternoon provided a development focus including talks led by Alexandra Briggs on supporting young people in museums, Rachel Holtom’s Funding for the Fearful, which provided guidance on accessing community project funding. The keynote, delivered by Louise Boston-Mammah (DEED), focused on working with Dorset’s young women and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities.