Community Business of the Year shortlist

Image: people taking part in a wellbeing programme run by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums has been shortlisted in the North East Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in the Community Business of the Year category. 

The award recognises organisations that facilitate and enable community engagement, demonstrating the power of giving back. 

Supporting communities is at the heart of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ (TWAM) mission. For decades it has worked with health care professionals, local authorities, universities, charities and support services to devise community programmes focused on improving wellbeing targeting areas of need in the North East. 

Keith Merrin, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said: 

“It’s fantastic to be shortlisted for the Community Business of the Year Award! Supporting communities is part of our DNA and we pride ourselves in developing inspiring museum programmes that harness the positive impact of cultural participation. We strive for a more equitable society, where everyone can engage with art and culture, and it is brilliant to be recognised for this work.” 

Almost 1 million visits are made to its museums and galleries each year and more than 150,000 children and young people participate in its educational programmes. 

TWAM delivers targeted programmes for over-55s, people living with mental health conditions, people in addiction recovery and refugees & asylum seekers, with health, wellbeing and social needs. 

All nine of TWAM’s museums are accredited as ‘Museums of Sanctuary’ providing safe spaces and a warm welcome for those seeking sanctuary.   

TWAM’s volunteering programme for refugees and asylum seekers helps new arrivals to the city to learn about the area and gain new skills. In its wider volunteering programme, volunteers dedicated almost 20,000 hours volunteering at TWAM's venues last year, learning new skills, meeting people and building pathways to employment.  

For the last three years TWAM has been working with Nexus to breakdown economic barriers for families, via the multi-award-winning ‘Ways to Play’ programme. This includes free family activities every school holiday, plus free travel for children travelling with a fare paying adult.   

TWAM leads the ‘Late Shows’ for two nights in mid-May every year (since 2007) to encourage more people to visit cultural venues in Newcastle and Gateshead. 50+ venues take part in the free event which also includes free buses to transport visitors between venues across the city. It attracts around 30,000 visits each year from people of all ages.