The Postal Museum has won the Best Accessible Museum award in the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award 2021, it was announced on Monday 11 October 2021.

The Postal Museum was named the winner in an online ceremony hosted by art dealer and broadcaster, Philip Mould (BBC’s Fake or Fortune).

Run by charity Kids in Museums, the national award is awarded annually to one museum, gallery, historic home or heritage site in the UK that goes the extra mile to provide a great experience for families.

Since it launched in 2004, the award has become a benchmark of excellence in the heritage sector. Each year Kids in Museums receives hundreds of public nominations, which are whittled down to a shortlist by an expert panel. The final say goes to families, who visit each shortlisted museum over the summer holidays, and decide the winner.

Competing against two other shortlisted museums across the UK, the family judges were impressed by the range of services available at The Postal Museum for different groups, including a Changing Places toilet, sensory bags, online information and its collaboration with young people at Ambitious about Autism. In particular they praised the patient and understanding staff.

One family judge said: “All three of us were very happy after our visit and plan to visit again. The cost is very reasonable, environment is welcoming, staff are understanding and patient, there was a nice space to have lunch, the shop offered a lot of choices, we came home with activities to do, what more could we ask for really! Would highly recommend to any families, including special needs.”

The Postal Museum is committed to providing a welcoming, engaging and accessible experience for all visitors, providing online and onsite resources and events for visitors with additional needs.

We’re delighted that the museum’s approach to programmes and our collaboration with families and expert partners has been recognised by Kids in Museums with this award. It is especially rewarding to receive this recognition judged by families with additional needs. It is a real testament to everyone’s hard work and commitment to bringing a visit to The Postal Museum to life for all visitors.

Hannah Clipson, Community Learning Manager, The Postal Museum

We’re over the moon to have won this award from Kids in Museums, voted for by families with additional needs. Huge congratulations to the winners in all the categories and to the strong line-up of shortlisted museums delivering outstanding work across the UK.

Laura Wright, CEO, The Postal Museum

 

The overall winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2021 was Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery in Alnwick, Northumberland.

Winners: Family Friendly Museum Award 2021:

  • Overall Winner and Best Small Museum: Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery, Alnwick
  • Best Medium Museum: London Transport Museum
  • Best Large Museum: Horniman Museum and Gardens, London
  • Best Digital Activity: National Museum Wales – Museum Sleepover: At Home and The Whitworth, Manchester – Play Live
  • Best Accessible Museum: The Postal Museum, London

The Family Friendly Museum Award has been made possible by funding from Arts Council England.