Working with families to develop
new interpretation
Working with a small group of families over three years was a wonderful opportunity for the National Trust to gain an in depth understanding of what families want from a visit.
New resources for families were created at all four properties and in each case London Voices families were involved in different ways in the development. The varied ways of involvement allowed flexibility, both for the families and for each property. The participative approach allows you to get your job done better!
The final products are hugely successful: you can see a description of the final interpretation and quotes from visitors below. The strength of the final products for all visitors makes the case very strongly for working closely with a small group to benefit a wider audience.
Families were involved as:
Families as consultants
Families as Consultants: Sutton House
Families were involved as consultants at properties. In this role they shaped the ideas around the development of new interpretation at the early stages. The type of ways families were involved as consultants included:
- After a storytelling session, families posted their ideas for treasures in a ‘treasure chest’
comments box. These were then incorporated into interactive treasure chests that were
made at Sutton House. - Placing flags with ideas for family activities at Morden Hall Park on a three dimensional map.
- Choosing and creating life-size models of characters from Ham House which families then
voted on to decide which would be made into wooden dummy boards.
The consultant role suits one off family visitors as well as those you have a more long term relationship with.
Families as Designers: Ham House
Families were involved as designers at properties. In this role they worked with artists to create visual and written content which was then incorporated into an element of final interpretation. The type of ways families were involved as designers included:
- Exploring voyages of objects to Ham House and designing elements of a map that charted
these journeys that was printed as a family guide to the house. Elements of the journeys
portrayed included cityscapes and textures in the landscape. - Creating lino print images of your favourite place in Morden Hall Park. These prints then
formed the basis of a design fro a wood carver to make into a large scale play boat.
The designer role works best when families can participate in a series of focussed sessions with someone who has creative skills.
Families as Makers: Morden Hall Park
Families were involved as makers at properties. In this role they actually helped create final pieces of interpretation for the general public. The type of ways families were involved as makers included:
- Helping carve designs onto a large scale play boat with a wood carver at Morden Hall Park.
- Recording stories with an animator to create short films exploring some of the mysteries of
Sutton House.
The maker role can work as a one off activity if carefully planned and facilitated, but the connections people make with the finished piece benefits greatly from a longer term connection.
Families as Testers: Osterley Park and House
Families were involved as testers at properties. In this role they road tested prototype versions of final interpretation. This was a critical role in terms of ensuring the effective usability and enjoyment of final interpretative pieces. The type of ways families were involved as testers included:
- Testing a prototype of the Osterley Compass to check the compass was easy to understand
and use. - Trying out an interactive puppet booth at Osterley to discover how families connected this
imaginative experience with their visit to the historic rooms. - Testing out a prototype version of the Voyages Map at Ham House to determine the right
number of objects to be included in the final guide.
The tester role works well with families you have a longer term relationship with a place and one off family visitors. People feel incredibly valued to be asked to try things out for you and generally jump at the opportunity!
