Leaving a gift in your will

Leave a lasting legacy or remember a loved one with a gift to Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM).  

We need your support 

Many of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ most loved venues were founded on the passion and generosity of philanthropists - people who gave their time, money and collection items to benefit the whole community. We continue to rely on the kindness of our visitors and donors in order to sustain and develop our work. We are grateful to those we receive support from but, as public funding for regional museums decreases, leaving a gift in your will is more important than ever before.  

Why give to us? 

We are about people 

We improve the lives of millions of visitors each year by helping people to understand the world around them. We are memory makers: we create experiences that provoke important conversations and we build curiosity in the minds of the future.  We strive to remove barriers to art, culture and heritage by offering a sanctuary, a safe place to recharge, to reflect and to relax. 

Caroline McDonald, Museum Manager, Great North Museum: Hancock:  

“We believe that inspiring access to culture and science improves the life chances of children and young people. Each year we welcome around 24,000 school children to the Great North Museum through our formal learning programmes and reach many more who visit with their families to enjoy our collections, exhibitions and events. Leaving us a gift in your will would ensure that we can continue to walk hand in hand with children now, and in the future, as they discover the world around them and shape it into the world they want it to be.”  

We celebrate places 

Shaped by our natural, industrial and social landscape our collections are firmly rooted in our locality, yet nationally and internationally important. They reflect how the pioneering inventions of the North East have changed the world and how people from our region have impacted on all aspects of life from science and industry to art and design. Through international partnerships we bring amazing artefacts from across the world to the people of Tyneside, helping all of us find our place in a shared history.    

Geoff Woodward, Museum Manager, North & South Tyneside:  

“Leaving a gift to Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums would help to protect and enhance important historical sites such as Segedunum Roman Fort and Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort, which are part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site.  

“Segedunum marks the start of Hadrian’s Wall and is the most excavated fort along the Wall’s length. Arbeia was the entry point into the frontier zone and has produced one of the finest collections of artefacts from any Roman fort. Both sites have stunning full-size reconstructed Roman buildings, which require careful care and maintenance. Your gift could ensure these sites endure for many years to come.” 

We care for collections & we share stories 

We care for our region’s heritage. We hold the memories of those who came before us and collect the stories for those who will come after. We conserve and protect internationally significant objects, artefacts and art.  

Your gift could help us to care for works by artists such as William Holman Hunt, John Martin and Victor Pasmore for future generations to enjoy. You could help us to keep the legendary Turbinia on show at Discovery Museum and the heritage steam engines in working condition at Stephenson Steam Railway.  

We would love to support you 

You do not have to tell us if you have left a gift in your Will, and you are free to change your mind at any time. However, it would be helpful if you could let us know your intentions. This enables us to thank you for your support, and keep you up to date with the work of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums. 

For more information contact Faye Allen, faye.allen@twmuseums.org.uk

Download our Legacy Giving brochure

Download our pledge/intention form 

The Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Development Trust is registered as a company limited by guarantee, number 7334262 and is registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1137867.