The patronage was announced ahead of the Duchess’ visit to the Foundling Museum on Tuesday 19 March, when she learnt more about the Museum’s pioneering programmes, particularly its training programme for care-experienced young adults and creative projects with young psychiatric in-patients. The celebrated poet and Museum Trustee, Lemn Sissay OBE, wrote and recited a commemorative poem to celebrate the patronage. The poem responds to contributions from young people participating in the Museum’s programmes, about their hopes and dreams for the future.
On her visit, the Duchess met a group of care-experienced young adults who have completed the Museum’s ‘Tracing Our Tales’ training programme, which gives young care-leavers the skills to run creative workshops for visitors to the Museum. The Duchess heard the positive effect the training has had on their self-esteem, mental wellbeing, education, and employment at the Museum and beyond. The Duchess joined a training session and was shown around the Museum’s current exhibition by the young workshop leaders.
Her Royal Highness’ acceptance of the role of Patron follows a previous visit to the Foundling Museum in December 2017, when she met families and children who have benefited from the Museum’s work.