Sure Start Museum Project

In partnership with Blackburn Museum and Sure Start Mill Hill and Livesey, Action Factory worked with a group of mums and their children who were all under the age of 5. The project, initiated by Steve Irwin, Education Officer at Blackburn Museum, was funded by MLA North West - Museum Development Fund.

The museum had identified that the group faced a number of barriers which prevented them from visiting the museum and participating in activities and they were keen to develop a programme which could begin to break down those barriers.

The project began with an introductory visit to the museum using the museum's resources as stimulus for creativity, and artist Jude Wadley worked with the group over the following five months to create work for an exhibition at the museum. A bright and vibrant exhibition opened in May, attended by all the children, their parents, friends and two local councillors.

Feedback from the families has been extremely positive. Alice's mum said - "She has become much more imaginative and creative. She never used to be. She's got more interested in doing art work at home since she's been coming here."

"Working with Action Factory has been very rewarding. Lots of fun, work of the highest quality; always very professionally delivered. Their sessions at the Museum are always fully booked."

Steve Irwin, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery.

"I've learnt a lot of ideas from this. I've learnt about putting things together I wouldn't have thought of. I've got a lot of ideas that I will carry on using when we start the 'Gloop Group'."

Marilyn, Sure Start

The project outcomes linked closely to the Every Child Matters Framework and Action Factory and Sure Start are working closely together to find ways to continue the work, build on the learning from this phase and develop a programme of training and activity across the Borough's Children's Centres.