The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted upon everyone and has amplified inequalities that already existed; whilst all children have missed some formal learning, those living in households with little or no internet access have been set back further. Furthermore, during lockdowns and social distancing, we have all missed coming together for shared experiences. Life Science Centre can make a positive difference in both of these areas. However, like many cultural organisations, the science centre closed for much of 2020 and half of 2021, with a serious impact on income generation. Please support us so we can continue to develop high-quality exhibitions that reflect the latest advances in science and technology

A good job remains the best route out of poverty, and opportunities for ‘unskilled’ work have shrunk further during the pandemic. In the North East, working in the new and emerging sectors requires new skills and a technical education. We can help new generations to achieve this by offering fair access to science and technology from an early age, so that it becomes part of everyday life for young people and their families. Life Science Centre through its science centre exhibitions, learning programmes and community engagement, is the largest provider of family science enrichment in the region. Its role has never been more important or necessary for supporting the long-term prosperity of the people living in the North East. We support schools with science enrichment in classrooms and at the science centre. We support community groups by working in partnership to co-produce activities in the science centre, online and in the community. And we support families by providing high-quality, entertaining and educational activities in the science centre and online. Every one of our programmes relies on a core team of people skilled in the creation of science content, interpretation for audiences and in building relationships with different communities. Our ability to attract and retain this team depends upon the income we generate from the science centre and our commercial programme, both of which were severely impacted by the pandemic.