Barnsley Museums shortlisted for National Award

Barnsley Museums has been shortlisted for a national award for their work with the group ‘Feels Like Home’. A project that has been set up for people new to Barnsley for whom English isn’t their first language, delivered in partnership with Barnsley Refugee Council

The project has been nominated for a Museums Change Lives Awards, which celebrates the achievements of museums that are making a difference to the lives of their audiences and communities across the UK.

Nominated in the ‘Best Museums Change Lives Project’ category, it recognises the best project in the past year that reflects one or more of the themes of the Museums Association’s Museums Change Lives campaign: Promoting Health and Wellbeing; Creating Better Places; and Inspiring Engagement, Reflection and Debate.

Now with over 90 members mainly refugees, asylum seekers, and migrant workers from across the world, ‘Feels Like Home’ has become an important group for many new Barnsley residents. At the weekly session’s members can learn English through shared experiences: engage with Barnsley’s heritage through the museum collections and exhibitions and take part in cultural visits and art projects delivered in partnership with other cultural organisations.

‘Feels Like Home’ is a safe, fun place for people often experiencing difficult times. The group also offers opportunities to build relationships and friendships. The group do amazing things, from becoming community champions, volunteering, developing skills to going on trips and making music videos and poetry books.

Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Regeneration and Culture) said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted in the Museums Changes Lives awards and particularly for this project, which is so important for the town.  We want to support people, who are new to Barnsley and often the UK, in making the borough their home.  We want to stay with them throughout their journey and this group does incredible things in bringing people together in a warm, welcoming, and comfortable space.  This is just another example of the work done with Barnsley Museums and communities that improve the lives of those living here.”