There was a hearty welcome for Bexley Mencap’s Respect members when they were invited to the Special Relaxed Opening of the Pirates Exhibition on Thursday 2nd Oct at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.
Over the years, Bexley Mencap has worked with the Museum on several projects such as a multimedia radio play featuring maritime exhibits with members helping to provide the voices and sound effects.
Some members also attend weekly online sensory sessions which make use of nautical objects from the Prince Philip maritime collection held by the museum.
The National Maritime Museum holds relaxed opening to make exhibitions more accessible to visitors, these special events adjust the sensory experience by reducing the number of visitors, altering light and sound and providing quiet spaces or sensory friendly elements to create a more comfortable and inclusive atmosphere.
Special tactile material was available on a table; the highlight was a cannon ball and members were surprised at how heavy it was. There were also bean bags situated at points within the exhibition so people could sit and unwind and an excellent story telling session which members joined in.
Upstairs there was another room with activities and members tried out a game which had a knitted dice made by Blanche, another Bexley Mencap member.
Members had the whole exhibition to themselves. It was free and there was a fun pirate game, designed by SEND students for participants during the event. Members said they enjoyed the whole experience, especially those who had never been to a museum before and everyone learnt a new bus route! They thought it was well designed and would definitely recommend it to people who would benefit from the special adaptations available.
Several members also recognised some of the pictures on display from their previous work together.
Special thanks to all the museum staff, Noel Hayden and Elma Curran, Adult Programmes Producer at the National Maritime Museum for the invitation.