The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum is pleased to announce that it has secured £3,240 in funding from the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust to support Memory Lane Café, a monthly social group for older adults, including those living with dementia, and their carers.
Following a highly successful 12-month pilot, this new funding will enable The Wilson to continue Memory Lane Café for the next three years, ensuring the programme remains a vital and much-loved community resource.
Developed from the gallery’s popular Reminiscence sessions using Museum Loan Boxes, Memory Lane Café has evolved into a person-centred programme that combines creative activities with meaningful conversation. Each session is thoughtfully themed around the group’s interests, encouraging self-expression, cognitive engagement and connection.
Since its launch, the café has welcomed 323 visits from 64 individuals, 75% of whom are living with dementia, with the remainder being carers and family members. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:
“Getting out of my normal setting helps me relax and I enjoy the companionship.”
“We love all the activities and always learn new arts and crafts.”
“We have a wall at home where we put the pictures and show the grandchildren when they come. We love the friendliness of the staff and volunteers who are all very helpful.”
The sessions take place on the first Thursday of every month from 10.30am to 12.00pm at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum. Attendees can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, friendly conversation and accessible creative activities in a relaxed and supportive setting. Carers are welcome, no booking is required and free refreshments are provided.
“This funding allows us to continue offering a much-needed programme that tackles social isolation, supports wellbeing and strengthens intergenerational relationships through art, conversation and memory-sharing.”
– Margot Minnot-Thomas, Learning and Engagement Producer at The Wilson.
The Cheltenham Trust Website: cheltenhamtrust.org.uk The Cheltenham Trust is a leading provider of culture, heritage, sport, and leisure in Cheltenham. Managing some of the town’s most iconic venues, the Trust plays a major role in supporting the local economy and enhancing the wellbeing of the community.
About the Wilson Art Gallery and Museum:
Website: https://wilsonmuseum.org.uk/
The Wilson is Gloucestershire’s premier art gallery and museum located in the centre of Cheltenham.
The Wilson is home to an internationally significant museum collection, including a designated Arts and Crafts Movement collection, fine art collections, and The Open Archive, which houses fascinating archives relating to Antarctic explorer Edward A. Wilson and Cheltenham’s history.
The Wilson is a space for art and learning and presents an ambitious programme of exhibitions, events and an artist development programme We Are Creators, which supports emerging visual artists from across Cheltenham and Gloucestershire by providing studio space and support.
The Wilson is managed by The Cheltenham Trust, an independent and not-for-profit charity. For further information, images and interviews please contact communications@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
