Learning & participation

Our project will bring these nationally important buildings back to life as places of discovery and delight for visitors of all ages.

The wealth of stories and themes stretching across the long history of Barts will enrich a wide-ranging public programme for diverse audiences. As well as cultural events such as concerts, talks and performances, we will host in-house educational activities, volunteering and training. In this way we aim to put Barts at the heart of the Culture Mile – London’s newest cultural quarter.

Drone video: Robert Treharne Jones

A dynamic public programme

Events and performances

Music in the Great Hall will be an important feature of a rolling annual programmes of events and performances. Barts Heritage is working in partnership with the City Music Foundation to provide public concerts and recitals for all, as well as special opportunities for music to form part of the Hospital’s wellbeing programme.

Museum & exhibition display

With archives dating to the 12th century, the historic collections of St Bartholomew’s tell the compelling story of this renowned institution. Objects in the collection include works of art, surgical and medical equipment used in the hospital, and the tools of the apothecary’s trade, including pill-making equipment, scales and drug bottles. In the first phase of works, a new flexible display and exhibition space will allow us to share Barts’ important stories with a wide range of visitors, city workers, educational groups and residents.

Through changing physical and digital displays and partnerships with other cultural institutions, our public and educational programmes will link heritage, health, collections and music, drawing in a wide range of visitors both locally and from further afield.

Access to conservation and training

Through new interpretation and special access to conservation work as it takes place, we will share expertise and tailor programmes for both the general visitor, and for individuals and groups seeking professional insight, training opportunities or skills development.

Scaffolding tours during conservation work will create unparalleled access to the work undertaken by master artists and craftspeople, with the additional support of experts to guide the experience. Contractor-led trainee placements in traditional crafts and site management skills will help to nurture the next generation of heritage specialists.

Volunteering

Volunteering at Barts already draws on a number of existing groups including the Friends of Barts Heritage, Barts Health NHS Volunteers, Barts Patient Voice, Queen Mary University Student Union Volunteering and other students from local education institutions on creative and cultural courses. We plan to expand this programme, both for individuals and through supported group involvement.

As well as regular and one-off volunteering opportunities, we will offer targeted volunteering for young people which is time limited and skills specific, to support work experience and employability skills. Heritage and health volunteer programmes across conservation, access and cultural activities will provide supported experiences for a wide range of people to make a contribution and be part of the ongoing life of Barts.