Vulnerable and isolated people are enjoying an exhibition designed to spark memories of childhood through portraits and photography of Mansfield in the past.

Mansfield Museum is taking Forgotten Frames to assisted living residential homes as part of its community projects thanks to a £1,000 grant from the Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme.

In February 2020 the museum launched the exhibition, but because of lockdown it was open to visitors for only a few weeks.

However, museum staff developed the project to take the exhibition to some of those acutely affected by the coronavirus crisis — the over-70s and vulnerable adults in ten local venues.

The exhibition of large printed artworks and prints aims to spark new conversations and reach vulnerable and isolated people over the age of 70, cut off from the world due to Covid-19.

Sian Booth, cultural services manager, said: “It’s a delight to see the joy on residents’ faces, full of intrigue and wonder as we set the exhibition up.

“As part of our health and wellbeing priorities, the museum has held Reminiscence Tea Rooms for families and individuals living with dementia. Reminiscence therapies, such as the touring materials and activity boxes, are vital to stimulate those cherished memories a loved one has, so we are very grateful to Persimmon Homes for helping to make this possible.”

The hope is that by reaching out to the over-70s, including people living with dementia and their carers, vulnerable people can feel confident to participate in activities that resonate with their lived experience during the pandemic.

The exhibition is accompanied by a resource box that includes art materials, activity booklets and a scrapbook to document memories.

Neil Follows, managing director at Persimmon Homes Nottingham, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the history of Mansfield to the wider community and support Mansfield Museum’s dementia support programme.”