Memories shared

A pioneering project which uses museum artefacts to help share the memories of young and old has been launched in Wigston.

Pupils from Guthlaxton College have been working with residents at Conifer Lodge Residential Home in Wigston, to develop a display with Leicestershire County Council’s Heritage and Arts Service.

Discussions used museum objects to spark memories about growing up in and around the Wigston area. The lively conversations highlighted how some things change, and other things never change, about growing up.

Shelley Marvin, Assistant Head of House at Guthlaxton College said: If the young people were stood at a bus stop or queue I think they would give it a go and talk to someone. The visit to the care home has really helped them with that area of communication”.

The project has also helped increase understanding between the teenagers and elderly people. One pupil commented: It changed how I felt about older people. I feel that they’re more like us now. They got a lot from meeting us too, maybe now they don’t think we’re just trouble.”  

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities, said: This has been a valuable opportunity to bring people together to promote greater understanding and respect between generations. It has been fantastic that our museum collections have inspired different generations to come together to share their memories in this way.”