Inspiring children with history and heritage

Since 2014, the players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported National Museum Wales - Amgueddfa Cymru to meet its aspiration to: Inspire people and Change lives; by breaking down barriers for young people and those in most need and increase participation and representation for all.

Amgueddfa Cymru is a family of seven free-entry national museums; and last year, with the help of players, they welcomed 1.8 million visitors. They are home to over five million objects and memories from a national collection of art, history, heritage and environmental science.

During 2021, players’ support has been instrumental in helping to ensure that Amgueddfa Cymru continues to support the many educational bodies, community partners and families that they work with. Players have enabled the museum to offer more in-depth learning opportunities with local communities, as well as to introduce digital initiatives which have had a broader reach across the whole of Wales and beyond.

Players have supported Amgueddfa Cymru’s programme of Sleepovers @ Home. Aimed at families with children aged 6 to 12, each sleepover offers interactive activities centred around a theme. In 2021, three sleepovers were delivered: Dino Nights at Home, Natural World at Home, and Outer Space from Home. These themes have captured the imagination of participants with a wealth of activities such as den building competitions, making dino fossil dough, baking grub puddings, ocean bedtime yoga, bird watching, storytelling and much more. Some key highlights include:

• Almost 1,500 family sleepover tickets purchased in 2021 – viewed by an estimated 6,000 family members
• Participants tuning in from across the world, including from Abu Dabi, New Zealand, Australia and Spain
• Sleepovers at Home awarded as a joint winner in the Kids in Museums award for Best Digital Activity this year

Here's what families had to say about the sleepovers:

"Just watched the message from Maggie Aderin-Pocock. The first thing my 6-year-old said was ‘wow mammy this space scientist is a girl! That’s so cool!’"

"We love these events and thank you so much for organising them. The live call to the elephant orphanage was incredible and the whole family enjoyed it."

"Magic from beginning to end. What a unique and innovative event. Thank you so much."

Players have raised over £2.3 million for National Museum Wales.