Community Outreach

Over recent years, Community Outreach at Tullie House has developed some exciting projects and programmes that communities in Carlisle and District have been able to participate in and enjoy.
 
Tullie’s collections can be accessed even by those visitors who are unable to visit the museum itself, thanks to our reminiscence expert, Lish, and her team of trained volunteers. The team visits day care centres and the local hospice with a selection of themed boxes, such as Rural Life, World War II and Schooldays. Participants are encouraged to handle objects which unlock a seam of memories; if they wish, they can share their responses with other members of the group. One of the intentions of this project is to decrease the sense of isolation experienced by many elderly people, and to promote conversation between participants. Tullie’s resources are unique, and our team is keen to reassure participants that their narratives are as interesting and as valid as anything we can read in conventional history books about powerful figures. We work in partnership with organisations such as the charity Independent Age; an example of a collaborative project is one where a number of their clients created memory boxes with local artist Joe Dias, inspired by a temporary exhibition in our Art Gallery.
 
Community Outreach also caters for younger residents of the Carlisle and District Area. We have a strong partnership with local Sure Start centres; our Informal Learning Team joins in with Sure Start sessions, meets families and gets involved in their activity sessions. Once they get to know us, families are very welcome to come and visit Tullie, to experience our exhibitions and join in craft activities based on what they’ve enjoyed. These sessions are co-facilitated by Sure Start and Tullie staff, and often feature an artist or craftworker to help us learn new skills. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed, and families leave with their own ‘arty creations’ – and a sense that Tullie is their museum to be visited whenever they choose.

Gill Goodfellow
01228 618725
GillG@Carlisle.gov.uk