Give the Gift of Wonder this Christmas to Schools in Need
This Christmas, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) is raising £10,000 to give five schools in economically deprived and isolated rural areas of Gateshead and Northumberland, access to ‘Boxes of Delight’ our museum loan resource. We will also provide transport to bring the children to one of TWAM’s nine venues for an in person cultural experience.
Children who attend school in economically deprived and rurally isolated areas are less likely to have learning outside of the classroom opportunities and obtain the benefits of cultural experiences, such as visiting museums or galleries. Access to different types of learning experiences helps to inspire children, particularly those who may not always shine in a classroom environment and broadens their awareness and knowledge of the world around them.
Each school will be provided with an Anglo-Saxon handling box to tie in with the Lindisfarne Gospels coming to the Laing Art Gallery in 2022. The box will contain a fascinating collection of replica artefacts based on archaeological finds which will help school children learn about how Anglo-Saxons lived in Britain. Example items include a St Bede monk figure, St Cuthbert’s Cross, Lindisfarne Gospels carpet page and an Anglo-Saxon map of the kingdoms of England. Each school will use the museum resource box for a hands-on classroom session which will then be complemented by a staff led workshop in one of TWAM’s nine venues.
TWAM is currently asking for pledges of support ahead of the Christmas appeal in December. All business pledges will be doubled thanks to the generous support of the appeal match funders the John George Joicey Bequest and the Four Acre Trust.
Charlotte Windebank, Managing Director of learning and development agency, FIRST, became the appeal’s first business supporter.
Charlotte says that “FIRST are supporting TWAM’s Christmas appeal to give children access to Boxes of Delight because these resources provide the building blocks needed to develop enterprise skills and confidence. Every child should have experiences that develop curiosity, ideas, creativity and imagination and by supporting the campaign, we are nurturing the entrepreneurs of the future.”
Support can be pledged at any amount. For example:
£25 could buy a replica object to put into our handling boxes.
£50 could help to provide in box activities to help teachers engage their students.
£100 could help provide a workshop with museum learning staff.
We were thrilled so many people and businesses got behind last year’s appeal. For 2021 we are pleased to offer recognition for some of the higher pledge levels as a thank you;
• £250 Digital Acknowledgment on our website.
• £500 Acknowledgement on a handling box and link placement on our website.
• £1,000 Acknowledgement on a handling box, Logo placement on our website with a case study.
To make a pledge or for more information visit https://www.twmuseums.org.uk/donate-christmas-pledges
Every £1 the public donates will be doubled thanks to the John George Joicey Trust and the Four Acre Trust who are pledging match funding for those who give between 12pm on 30 November – 12pm on 7 December 2021.
