Last month The Hockey Museum (THM) hosted a group visit by Halow Project. They are a local charity which supports young people (16+) with a learning disability on their journey into and through adult life.

Halow project – nurturing independence

Photographs from the Halow Project’s visit to The Hockey Museum in February 2023. Images above and below courtesy of Halow Project.

The morning visit was organised and hosted by our volunteer Education Officer Jon Rye who travelled up from Kent especially, with input from Curator Shane Smith. Jon reflected that it had made his month such was the students’ enthusiasm and evident joy!

Our visitors were treated to an exhibition tour and an object handling session which drew on both replica and genuine heritage items to bring to life aspects of hockey history such as the development of hockey sticks and balls, and Olympic medals. They even had the opportunity to hold a London 2012 Olympic torch!

When the students were asked what the best part of their visit had been, the response by one excited young lady captured it all in just one word, “Hockey!”

“The group had a wonderful time. They can find new experiences a little overwhelming so thank you for making them feel so welcome.”

— Sonia Booth, Building Futures Year Leader, Halow Project.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan

The Halow Project visit followed the launch of The Hockey Museum’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan which was approved by the Board of Trustees towards the end of 2022. The Plan will span several years and build on our current inclusive practises to uncover hidden histories within our collection and open up THM to new audiences in increasingly accessible ways, in-person and online – hockey and its history and heritage is for everyone.

Our Action Plan aims to align THM with the EDI goals of our key partner England Hockey and better position ourselves to be in receipt of heritage sector grant funding as we seek a sustainable future and a permanent home.