READING Museum and the Museum of English Rural Life have both received special status as Museums of Sanctuary.
It is an award denoting the dedication of museums to welcoming people seeking sanctuary and fostering an inclusive, compassionate society.
It follows the continued collaboration between the two museums as part of the Museums Partnership Reading.
The partnership has worked with Care 4 Calais to run craft sessions for sanctuary seeker families, and partnered with Reading’s Rank and File Theatre to share the stories of refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of domestic abuse through theatre.
The museums join the University of Reading in being designated places of sanctuary, as well as Reading Borough Council, which has succeeded in designating Reading as a City of Sanctuary.
To apply for Museum of Sanctuary status, Museums Partnership Reading produced a joint four-year plan to celebrate Reading’s cultural diversity.
The plan was presented to someone with experience of seeking sanctuary and included a renewal of museum displays, audio trails, and opportunities for participation, as well as staff and volunteer training.
Museums are spaces which are important in celebrating cultural diversity through education on both local and global history.
It means that they provide a space for shared learning, which in turn engenders a sense of belonging and affirmation for groups which may be marginalised.
Nick Harborne, CEO OF Reading Refugee Support, said: “We are living in troubled times, internationally and here in the UK with the recent civil disturbances. Thankfully Reading has always been a fantastically diverse place, rich in cultural heritage, and proud of its support of refugees going back to the Second World War. So it amazing that as the United Nations marks International Day of Peace, the museums share news of contributing to a more peaceful and welcoming town.”
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, Reading Borough Council said: “Reading is a City of Sanctuary not only in name, but in actions, and the Museums of Sanctuary Award for Reading Museum and Museum of English Rural Life is recognition of our actions – Reading is a welcoming place of safety for all and we are proud to provide sanctuary seekers a voice.
“Reading Museum is in the heart of our town and well placed to celebrate the achievements and contributions of everyone in our communities. The Museum has developed a culture of welcomeness and inclusion over a number of years and we’ll continue to use Museums of Sanctuary status to promote a society that is fairer, compassionate and welcoming. Thank you to the staff and volunteers for all the hard work that has gone into this achievement.”
Professor Federico Faloppa, Research Division Impact Lead, University of Reading, said: “The University of Reading is proud to be a University of Sanctuary. The MERL becoming a Museum of Sanctuary extends our institutional commitment to being a safe, welcoming and compassionate place for refugees and asylum seekers wishing to participate in higher education.
As a university with a diverse student and staff population, we welcome people from all backgrounds to our campus and spaces. The opportunity to understand new cultures and perspectives strengthens our understanding of the world, which helps us find new approaches to tackle the global issues that affect us all.”
