1. Community Access Scheme at Kensington Palace: Community Roles and Relationships
Top: Westminster Adult Education Service ESOL group, July 2014.
Bottom: Open Age object handling session, May 2015.
Jatinder Kailey, Community Assistant Producer @JatinderKailey

2. Place is everything
‘Place is where we come from, where we feel alive, where we connect with others and where we feel we belong.’
Jean Vergeront, Museum Planner
‘When a museum contributes to creating a strong sense of place, it also contributes to a higher quality of life.’
Javier Jimenez, The Economics of Museums and Cities

3. From a royal palace to a community hub
Our aim is to help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built.
The Reader Organisation exploring Christmas at Kensington, December 2016.

4. ‘Welcome to Kensington – a palace for everyone’
Bunting, cushions and china made by community groups,

5. Community Access Scheme: Build Your Own Discovery
Scheme includes:
Group leader training
Leader-led visits to the palace
Discount entry for independent visits
Ongoing support for group leaders
Group criteria:
Locality
Experience a barrier to visiting
Adult specific groups
Types of groups:
Social
Health and wellbeing
Skills development

6. Reach Figures

7. What we’ve learned, how we’ve changed
Key principles:
The community are the expert
You are creating a space, not just a design
You can see a lot just by observing
From Project for Public Spaces, ‘Eleven principles for turning public spaces into civic places’
‘The experience, skills, friendliness/approachability and enthusiasm of the team is of paramount importance to our clients, giving them confidence and new experiences in a safe environment. It is important to our clients that all Kensington Palace staff look at them directly, speak to them as individuals (not just as another group) and are welcoming. In my experience this is the case and is very much appreciated.’
Group leader commenting on the impact of ‘Build your own discovery’ on their group, August 2017.

8. Opportunities for the future
Potential to evidence:
Placemaking
Social capital
Arts and wellbeing
‘A feeling of connection with the Historic Royal Palaces as facilities of value and relevance to their local community- not elitist establishments.’
Group leader commenting on what they have personally gained from ‘Build your own discovery’, August 2017.

9. ‘Like all social and cultural assets, museums make soft contributions that are sometimes evident only indirectly and in the long term.’
Javier Jimenez, ‘The Economics of Museums and Cities,’ 2015
Contact information:
Jatinder Kailey, Community Assistant Producer
Telephone:
@JatinderKailey