The Hepworth Wakefield Achieves Friendly WiFi Certification

Leading the way in providing safe and family-friendly digital connectivity

Friendly WiFi is delighted to announce that The Hepworth Wakefield has achieved official Friendly WiFi Certification, demonstrating the gallery’s ongoing commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and family-friendly environment both on-site and online.

Located in the heart of Yorkshire, The Hepworth Wakefield is one of the UK’s leading art galleries, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Its inspiring exhibitions, learning programmes, and family activities make it a cultural landmark for the region. By achieving certification, the gallery ensures that everyone connecting to its WiFi network — from families and school groups to international visitors — can browse safely and confidently.

What Friendly WiFi Certification Means

Friendly WiFi is the UK Government-initiated standard that identifies public WiFi services that are filtered for child sexual abuse material and pornography. It provides clear, visible reassurance that WiFi access in public spaces meets a nationally recognised level of online safety.

Certification involves annual checks to confirm filtering is active and effective across the network. Venues that display the Friendly WiFi symbol are part of a trusted community of organisations that put visitor welfare first — ensuring families, children and young people can connect online without exposure to harmful content.

The Hepworth Wakefield Joining a Growing Network of Certified Venues

The Hepworth Wakefield joins a wide range of well-known venues, cities and organisations across the UK that are already Friendly WiFi Certified — including:

• London Stadium, home of West Ham United

• National Football Museum, Manchester

• Tate Gallery, London

• York City Centre and York Libraries

• Transport hubs, shopping destinations and local authorities across the UK
  

Together, these organisations and many more represent a growing national commitment to protecting families and ensuring digital experiences in public places remain positive and safe.

The Hepworth Wakefield supported their award saying,  “We’re proud to have achieved Friendly WiFi certification. Digital connectivity is an essential part of the visitor experience, and ensuring it is safe and appropriate for all our audiences — especially children and young people — reflects our values as an inclusive and welcoming gallery. This is an important step in reinforcing our commitment to accessibility and visitor care.”

Bev Smith, Director at Friendly WiFi added, “We’re delighted to welcome The Hepworth Wakefield as a Friendly WiFi Certified venue. The gallery is an inspiring example of how cultural and community spaces can provide safe, family-friendly connectivity that enhances visitor experience while protecting users from online harm. They now join a growing community of leading UK venues setting new standards for digital responsibility.”

Visitors to The Hepworth Wakefield can now connect to its WiFi network knowing it has been independently verified and approved under the Friendly WiFi standard. Whether accessing exhibition information, booking tickets online, or sharing their visit on social media, everyone can do so with peace of mind that the network meets recognised safety requirements.

Friendly WiFi continues to work with cultural, public sector and commercial venues across the UK to ensure that wherever families connect, they connect safely.