Abstract
‘Community Access Scheme’ is a programme delivered by Historic Royal Palaces aimed at engaging local community members who experience real or perceived barriers with our palaces. In addition to providing free entry to the palace, this programme engages people with the stories, collections and historic spaces in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them. This paper will draw on 12 years’ worth of experience developing and delivering The Community Access Scheme and explores our approach and impact to sustainable community engagement. Our success relies on working in mutually beneficial partnerships with local community groups to reach new audiences and to meet shared agendas relating to inclusion, reducing social isolation and empowering audiences. We present with one of our group leaders / partners, who can share their perspective of the Community Access Scheme. Together we explore how by making heritage relevant and accessible to people who would not normally visit the palace or see it as a place of interest for them, we can help build more resilient individuals, organisations and communities. This work explores how heritage sites can build new local audiences from hard-to-reach communities by enabling them to create meaningful connections with stories and collections. In turn, communities can help heritage sites see a new value and purpose in what they offer society by being relevant in the modern world.
Presenters
Jatinder KaileyCommunity Partnership Producer, Public Engagement, Historic Royal Palaces, United Kingdom Kim Klug
Community Learning Producer, Public Engagement, Historic Royal Palaces, UK
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Community engagement, Participation, Sustainable engagement, Long-term engagement, Partnerships
