Tue. Nov 19th, 2024

Safe Harbour

Safe Harbour is a series of free workshops created to provide a safe space for foster and adoptive families. The sessions are an opportunity for families to have fun together in a friendly and welcoming space. Safe Harbour has been created in consultation with support organisations including We Are Family, and local foster and adoptive families.

Date: 28 September 2024 Time: 12.30 – 14.30  Suitable for families with children aged 13 or under Admission:     Free

SENsory Sailors

Families with children with special educational needs and disabilities are invited to a monthly session at the National Maritime Museum. Explore the collection, enjoy the opportunity to be creative together, and meet other local families.

Sessions are led by a SEND-specialist and will respond to the needs of the families participating.

Date: 14 September 2024  Time: 11.00 – 12.30  Suitable for ages 13 and under Admission:     Free

LGBTQ+ Family Network

That National Maritime Museum hosts a space bimonthly for LGBTQ+ families to meet each other and get creative. Families can join in with artist-led activities inspired by Greenwich, the maritime world, and LGBTQ+ histories.

Date: 21 September 2024 Time: 10.00 – 12.00 Suitable for all ages Admission: Free

 Play Tuesdays

Bring your little ones along for song, stories, and sensory play as we explore the Museum together. During these sessions your facilitator will lead you in creative and playful activities that will support the development of your child, providing you with a toolkit of activities to use even outside of these sessions.

Date: Tuesdays during term-time Time: 10.30 | 11.30 | 13.00 | 14.00 Suitable for ages 5 and under   £4 per child and accompanying adult | Under 6 months free

Discover Sundays

Each week a different artist will take visiting families on a journey into the Museum’s collection. Discover objects that introduce different people, histories and cultures. Participate in different creative activities inspired by these objects before heading into the galleries to see what else can be discovered.

Sundays during term-time Time: 11.00 – 13.00 | 14.00 – 16.00  Suitable for all ages Free

 Character Encounters

Encounter different characters who will take you on a special tour and bring the stories in the Museum to life before your eyes. Meet John Simmonds, a sailor who served with Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, Pearl Morris will tell you what life was like for a Caribbean woman in Britain in the 1950s, or hear Alice Leghorn talk about disguising herself as a man to board a pirate ship.

Every Saturday Time: 11.30 | 12.30 | 13.30 | 14.30 Suitable for ages 5 and over Free

Family Trails and Backpacks at the National Maritime Museum

Pick up a family trail or borrow a backpack of activities from the ‘Play and Explore’ trolley at the National Maritime Museum to discover exciting objects in the galleries. Choose from seven different trails across a range of galleries, with activities suited to any age, or try the Sensory Explorer backpack.

Daily Time: 10.00 – 17.00  Suitable for all ages  Free

Family Trails and Backpacks at the Queen’s House

Discover art, conservation, and the stories of the Queen’s House with the Create trail and the Creative Conservator’s kit. Pick up your trail or borrow a kit from the welcome desk.

Daily Time:  10.00 – 17.00  Recommended for ages 6 and over Free   

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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