AN organisation which manages nine museums, galleries and heritage sites in the region has secured a slice of cash to help it get over Covid 19.

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums has been awarded £387,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The group usually attracts more than 1.2million visits across its sites which include the Great North Museum: Hancock, Discovery Museum, the Laing Art Gallery, Hatton Gallery, Segedunum Roman Fort, Stephenson Steam Railway, South Shields Museum, Arbeia – South Shields Roman Fort, Shipley Art Gallery and also Tyne & Wear Archives.

The Northern Echo:

Iain Watson, director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said: “The closure of our museums and galleries for over four months has had a significant impact on income.

"We have been comforted by the warmth and support of our visitors during this challenging time and that we have been able to continue engaging with them – digitally during lockdown and back in our venues in recent weeks.

“We are hugely grateful for this grant which will help us to continue to provide a quality service to our loyal visitors and communities – ensuring culture continues to sit at the heart of our region.”

The group a normal year it welcomes 75,000 school children to participate in educational activities.

Through its community programmes it engages with local people who would never usually visit a museum or gallery – taking the museum to them.

This year it has been developing new forms of delivery, providing a range of digital content as well as supporting those who cannot access digital services and re-opening venues in a Covid safe way in line with national and local guidance.

During this October half term holiday, its venues have a range of activities on offer from heritage train rides to trails and exhibitions.

For details visit twmuseums.org.uk