Local community groups

The Community Engagement team work together with local community partners to make sure the Horniman is welcoming, interesting, useful and enjoyable for everyone.

If you want to have a chat about how your community group could get involved at the Horniman please get in touch with the Community Engagement team.

020 8291 8690

communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk

Hands On Base

Drop in to our Hands On Base 3.30pm – 5pm every Thursday afternoon in term time, to touch Horniman objects and share stories with other people from the local community.

Come along to a half day Welcome to the Horniman training where we’ll show you everything you need to know about bringing your group to the Horniman. This training offers practical guidance and provides the skills needed to use the Horniman independently, and to develop your own projects and group visits.

This training is for community or voluntary sector workers who want to bring their clients – of all ages and support needs – to enjoy the Horniman.

For more information, please email communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk or call 020 8291 8690.

You are welcome to visit the Horniman as a group.

f you’re a not-for-profit organisation or charity for under-represented people, please do get in touch with the Community Engagement team at communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk. Everyone is welcome at the Horniman and we may be able to make your visit easier and more enjoyable.

All other groups should contact enquiry@horniman.ac.uk.

The plan your visit pages provide information on transport to and from the Horniman, what you can do when you get here, eating options and picnic spaces.

Our access page offers more info for those with additional access requirements.

Quiet times

The Horniman is much quieter after 2.30pm on weekdays during term time. At other times, the museum is very lively with school groups and families.

You can also download our risk assessment document to use for your group.

Ideas for activities within your group

You can download an activity pack or trail, or explore our learning resources, which will help guide you through the galleries. We also have family trails you can pick up from the information desk, and you can often meet our friendly visitor hosts or volunteers in our galleries.

We regularly hold relaxed openings of our family exhibitions for neurodivergent families who cannot visit when the Museum is busy. These are held either before or after the Museum is open, and the tickets are free.

We run regular nature-based activities for adults who wish to spend more time outdoors to improve their health and wellbeing. From hands-on activities to more mindful and sensory things, there’s something for everyone and people can join in with as much or little as they like in a low-pressured environment.

To find out more about the programme, either for yourself or for someone you know, please contact communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk.

Our Environment Champions Community (ECC) encourages communities and families to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviours.

Families and individuals can sign up to our quarterly newsletter or follow us on Facebook to find out what’s happening locally to help nature and the environment.

We are keen to promote the work of local community groups and organisations who are also helping encourage and support local people to take action to look after the planet.

Please email communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk if you would like us to share your activities on our Facebook page or would like to be featured in our ECC newsletter.

We work across co-produced displays and events, advisory groups, projects and more.

The Community Engagement Team work together with local community partners to address issues such as:

  • increased loneliness in older adults,
  • increased need for mental health support,
  • stigmatisation of refugees and asylum seekers,
  • disparity in employment opportunities for young people,
  • and a lack of relevant museum offer for disabled people, NS-SEC 5-8 and global majority families.