Family Friendly
Haworth Art Gallery aims to be a welcoming and warm environment for everyone. Please ask a member of staff if you need assistance during your visit.
Haworth Art Gallery implements a family friendly environment by:
- Signing up to the Kids in Museums Manifesto;
- Having sensory packs available at front of house;
- Providing free crafts and activities, materials, trails, dressing up and books to read during your visit;
- Having an accessible baby change facility, with free nappies;
- Being a breastfeeding welcome space;
- Being accessible with a pushchair;
- Dementia-friendly activities;
- Family room available with sensory objects, activities and dementia-friendly objects.
Family Room
We have a dedicated Family Room on the first flood (accesible both via stairs and lift) that can be used by our visitors to unwind, enjoy some art and be creative. In it you can relax on the sofa looking at paintings from our permanent collection, play with sensory items on our rug or just have a moment of reflection and creativity.
Family room
Family Room
Please note that the room may be used for temporary exhibitions on occasion.
Dementia-Friendly
Crafts
Once a month, on a Sunday, Haworth Art Gallery team run a free two hour dementia-friendly craft and games session.
Refreshments are provided and carers are welcome to join in and share the fun.
Please see poster below for all the dates and information.
Dementia-friendly 2025 dates
Twiddle blankets, fidgety objects and sensory tiles
Dementia-friendly blanket and objects
Sensory tiles
Dementia-Friendly Twiddle Blankets
Thanks to one of our wonderful volunteers we have available dementia-friendly twiddle blankets and fiddling objects. Visitors can also explore our collection through a range of sensory tiles. Please feel free to use them while visiting our spaces. The objects are available in our Family Room.
Breastfeeding Friendly place
Haworth Art Gallery signed up to the BfN Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme.
We work to be supportive of breastfeeding visitors by implementing the following points:
- Visitors are welcome to breastfeed in all the gallery spaces accessible to the public. Whenever possible we will try and provide a private space, if requested.
- We are working to provide access to a breastfeeding cushion, and we can provide water and handwashing facilities;
- Haworth Art Gallery staff will deal with any comment or complaint. The breastfeding person will never be asked to move to a different area, cover or stop breastfeeding. In case a breastfeeding person receives any negative comments, while breastfeeding in our spaces, we encourage them to approach a member of staff and report such behaviours.
For any information about breastfeeding please visit the following link: Breastfeeding Information – The Breastfeeding Network
For help, advice and information about services please visit National Breastfeeding Helpline – Helpline.
Breastfeeding cushion, heating bottle and cover
We are pleased to let our visitors know that we have a breastfeeding cushion and cover available for people to use while breastfeeding in our spaces. The objects are in the Family Room.
Cushion and cover
The Gallery Kitchen has available a bottle warmer, just speak with a member of staff and they will be able to help you.
Kids in museum manifesto
Haworth Art Gallery works to improve the way we work with families. This is why we signed up for the Kids in Museums Manifesto and we uphold the following priciples:
- Be welcoming and creating a supportive, creative and fun environment that supports learning in the museum;
- Be accessible for all, including a full spectrum of accessible needs to make everyone feel supported and welcomed;
- Make it easy and comfortable to ensure that everyone in the family feels that their needs are met;
- Remember that families come in all shapes and sizes, considering the diversity in family groups;
- Communicate well making sure that families know the range of activities and support we have for them;
- Be an active part of the community making sure we show how tackle inequalities, support wellbeing and take care of the enviroment.
To learn more about the manifesto and Kids in Museums please follow this link.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) family trails
Haworth Art Gallery commits to provide an inclusive environment for all our visitors. We strive to create an inspiring, stimulating and safe space in which SEND families can explore, enjoy and learn.
SEND in Museums is part of Arts Council England and National Lottery funded project. Run by SEND parent Sam Bowen and by museum professionals, it works for the inclusion of children and young visitors with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in cultural spaces.
SEND has made available for museums and families free resources to download and adapt. You can find some of these resources at Haworth Art Gallery main reception and in a folder in our family room. They are also available for download in this section of the website.
For more information and original resources please visit SEND
Resources:
Nature detectives at Haworth Park;
Send a postcard from Haworth Art Gallery;
SEND has also made available a PEC’s symbol sensory trail for non-verbal or symbol users and a symbol feedback board for symbol users to give feedback on the museum.
Sensory packs
Sensory packs
Please help yourself to a sensory pack, to help you enjoy your visit and explore the wonderful Tiffany collection and Arts and Crafts house. You can find them in our colourful bags at the reception.
Sensory pack content: poppet, magnifying glass, colour paddles, glittery-tube toy
In each pack you will find:
- Colour paddles;
- Magnifying glasses;
- Poppets;
- Glittery-tubes sensory toys.
Ear Defenders
We also have ear defenders avaiable separately.
Sensory basket in our family room
Sensory basket
Peacocks pals, massage kit, sensory board and poppersMassage kit, sensory board and poppers
We also have a family room available, on the first floor, accessible via stairs or via lift. In the room we have seating (chairs and a sofa), a rug with cushions, children’s books, activities, dressing up, art material and a sensory basket.
Please feel free to use the content of our sensory basket while you are visiting us:
- Peacock pals: toys to build strength, coordination, explore textures;
- Massage kit;
- Popper;
- Sensory board.
Family Art Club
Every other Sunday take part in our self-led Family Art Club, between 1pm and 3pm. Experiment with artist materials or make some of our artist design crafts inspired by the people connected to the house, the Arts and Crafts buildings, our natural heritage and art.
Safe Space Alliance
Safe space alliance logo
What is Safe Space Alliance?
The Safe Space Alliance is a LGBTQI+ led nonprofit organisation that aims to help people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide. Being part of the Safe Space Alliance is being part of a global and collaborative safe space community.
What is a Safe Space?
A safe space is a space where LGBTQI+ communities can freely express themselves without fear. It is a space that does not tolerate violence, bullying, or hate speech towards LGBTQI+ communities.
A safe space does not guarantee 100% safety, rather, it’s a space that has your back if an incident (violence, bullying, or hate speech) were to occur.
For more information about Safe Space Alliance, listing of Safe Spaces, projects and resources please visit Safe Space Alliance.
What does Safe Space Alliance do?
Safe Space Alliance helps people identify safe spaces.
- They work with LGBTQI+ communities to identify and verify safe spaces around the world. Safe spaces may be physical/offline spaces (e.g. a street address or mobile unit) or digital/online spaces (e.g. apps, websites, or software).
- They list verified safe spaces on their directory and map to help people identify and support safe spaces.