Inclusion ProgrammeMuseum of London

Using social media with excluded audiences

Background to the Inclusion Programme • Project-based programme that uses creativity

and media to engage people at risk of exclusion with their heritage

• Learning/social outcomes for participants• Outputs – for wider community• Develop the Museum’s understanding of the

issues involved in working with people at risk of social exclusion.

I am a technophobe!

My experience of using social media in projects is very much from a non-technical mindset

Our approach

• Social media embedded in the process of the projects to support participants’ outcomes

• This is a different approach from creation of media and resources that are targeted at excluded groups

Is a growth in use of social media mirrored in use by excluded audiences?• Yes (personal observation)• Link to evaluation of inclusion

programme which demonstrates improved social skills and meeting new people are outputs valued most highly. Social media can enhance these outputs.

Examples: Podcasts from the Past project

• Participants researched, wrote and recorded podcasts that described objects to visually impaired visitors

• Flickr to record of workshop imageshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/museumoflondon/sets/72157604150337067/

• Ning social networkhttp://podcastsfromthepast.ning.com/

• Online presence http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections/Prehistoric1700/PodcastsfromPast.htm

http://mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/community/sabbath-lamp-podcast/

Flickr

Ning social network

Podcasts online

Brixton Riots project

• Participants were trained to be social reporters and interviewed people involved in the Brixton Riots. They then edited their interviews. These interviews are featured on the Museum’s website

• Blog written by participantshttp://mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/blog/brixton-riots-1981-social-media-reporting-day-3/

• Flickr diaryhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/museumoflondon/sets/72157608648481031/

Using social media even when the project is ‘non-media’• Current projects include Empire, an art

project where a group are creating a sculpture of goods that were traded across the Empire to go in an under floor case in our new galleries http://www.flickr.com/photos/museumoflondon/sets/72157617731563282/ http://mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/blog/empire-community-project-weeks-3-and-4/

Social media supporting individual learning outcomes• Increased ICT skills gained by creating web pages,

adding images to Flickr, using social networks• Improved writing skills from blogs• Link to other participants through social networks

during and beyond projects improves social skills and confidence

• Increased knowledge of social media• More motivated to use social media independently• Increased enjoyment of museums through a medium

they may find more accessible.

Challenges? • Is there a long way to go before excluded

audiences have full access to the range of social media and really take up use of these?

• How to keep up to date with the ever expanding new media – Twitter, phone technologies, handheld consoles

• Confidence and training for the staff working with excluded audiences

• Suitable for all work – e.g. working with prisoners

• More?