Poverty levels are steadily increasing across Britain, with 1 in 4 children now living in poverty, and this figure is estimated to rise to 1 in 3 by 2021. The North East has consistently had high rates of poverty over the past 20 years, with 24% of the population living in poverty.

This session is for museum and heritage professionals who are wanting to learn how other cultural venues are supporting children in poverty with the aim of thinking about how it can be applied to your own practice.

Confirmed speakers include:

Sarah Cowie, Learning Officer at National Museums Scotland and GEM Trustee who will discuss how much of a barrier poverty is for our audiences both now and in the future, and will discuss what museums should or can be doing to tackle this.

Ross Wilkinson, Senior Learning Officer at Durham University Museums who will discuss their raising aspirations day which supports the Durham University Widening Participation strategy.

Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon.