For full details of what our visitors had to say about the Herbert visit www.welovetheherbert.co.uk

We loved it! Such a great and welcoming place. We immediately felt welcome in the museum. When you enter the museum there’s this very open space

There were such good activities and hands-on for children: not only dressing up, but also puppets, computer screens, readings, a lot to touch… all provided with historical information. Every gallery was very appealing and visually stimulating.

The vibe in the workshop space was so good: families were sharing and making jokes together. Mother - Mystery shopper Guardian family friendly  Award

I really loved the workshop, there were a lot of materials, like lace and glitters, and they were all so nice and good, even the glue. I hate it when there’s no good glue! Daughter (age 9) - Mystery shopper Guardian family friendly  Award

 I saw very nice things in the shop. You were allowed to try jewellery on, even the jewellery in the glass displays – I asked the lady if I could try it on. I bought a butterfly [piece of jewellery]. Daughter (age 5) -  Mystery shopper Guardian family friendly  Award

 The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum's commitment to family friendly projects is total. As well as researching, taking the advice of peers and canvassing community groups in the development and relaunch of their family friendly offer they have done an amazing amount of work in support of other HUB museums across the Coventry and Warwickshire region this year.
 
Working with the region's MDO Glynis Powell they have successfully delivered a series of free professional development workshops for museums across Warwickshire. These workshops concentrated on encouraging collaboration, sharing experiences and delivering up to date training on family friendly creative programming, data collection and marketing techniques. They show the Herbert taking on a leadership role within the region and their imaginative ideas and creative use of collections within the galleries is equally inspiring to those of us looking to improve our own display spaces. Rachael O'Connor-Boyd, Documentation/ Collections Project Officer, Warwickshire Museums

As their account manager at Audiences Central, the regional development agency for the arts across the West Midlands, I would like to champion the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum's dedicated and passionate team who work tirelessly to broaden, diversify and maintain new and existing audiences for family friendly activities. From creative programming decisions and the work of the their innovative social inclusion team to the range of accessible family activities and the high quality of their generic family offer,  I believe the organisation exceeds their own ambition to reach out and engage families across Coventry and Warwickshire. Johnathan Branson, Senior Audience development Officer, Audiences Central

I wanted to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to you and your team for all of your hard work and commitment that made our Dads group visit to the Herbert such a success. I know from talking to the dads that the majority of them had never visited the Herbert before and that they all thoroughly enjoyed their time at the Herbert and will visit again. 

It is through successful partnership work of this kind that we can make a real difference to the families of Coventry. I sincerely hope that you and your team found it as enjoyable as we all did, and I look forward to working with you in the future and bringing many new groups to the Herbert. Tim Jacques, Community Development Officer at Moat House Children's Centre

It was amazing! I'm definitely coming again with my family. Nursery group leader 

As a group we have really enjoyed our sessions with you. Leader of group for children with learning disabilities

The visit to the museum was excellent and very informative with excellent staff support. We hope to come again. Tutor with Basic Skills adult education class 

Everything I saw was brilliant and really interesting. Basic Skills student 

Your staff were very helpful, we could not have been looked after any better. The Rainbow Sunshine Company includes people with varying learning and physical disabilities so they have special needs. This was not a problem to museum staff. The initial communication to organise the sessions was also excellent. Group leader

We had two really enjoyable sessions and the opportunity to have our lunch at the Herbert saved staff members a lot of stress about getting the children back on time.  The parents that did attend were very impressed and said they would certainly be visiting again. The children got a lot out of the session and many recalled the St. George and the Dragon. Some of the children really impressed me with their questions and the motivation they showed. Staff members at the Herbert were very welcoming and met our needs perfectly. We had a lovely collection of photographs from our visit and look forward to coming again in the future. Group leader from a children's centre 

I very much wanted to write and thank both you and your colleague personally for making us all so welcome yesterday. It really was a superb experience, not just for our students, but for me too! [The student I was supporting] was quite excited in the taxi on her way back and full of all the things she had learned. It was brilliant to see her so taken with her visit! Support worker for a group of visually impaired learners 

The group really enjoyed the activity session that you ran at the Children's Centre, the feedback I got last week from the group was that their children want to know when they can do this again and come over to the Herbert. I was really pleased at how well the young people worked with the younger children, it was a really enjoyable and interactive session. Thank you very much for your time. Community group leader

The young people had a great time and the staff could not wait to have a go. The young people and staff were engaged for the whole session. Youth group leader

All activities have been really fun and enjoyable for all ages. Very interactive. Group leader, parents and toddlers group 

Museum staff ran a fantastic session at the Children's Centre and the group are really looking forward to coming to the Herbert. The session was very well planned and tailored to the needs of a mixed group. It was very interactive and fun. Group organiser