Memories, Moments and Mannequins: the changing world of Learning Disability

Memories, Moments and Mannequins: the changing world of Learning Disability

A selection of the project images, quotes and items on display
A selection of the project images, quotes and items on display

Sharing Heritage

Cliftonville West
Thanet
East Kent Mencap
£7600
East Kent Mencap delivered a reminiscence project which worked with people with learning disabilities to reflect on and record their lives through a favourite item of clothing.

The project also aimed to create a shared space of enjoyment and celebration for participants to express their personalities and share life experiences. Six reminiscence workshops were held where participants explored and reflected on memories evoked by different clothes and fashion. These sessions were recorded and the content was used in local exhibitions. The project was a partnership with The Tizard Centre - University of Kent, which produced a report based on these workshops.

The grantee acknowledged the usefulness of reminiscence work in understanding and exploring identities of people with learning disabilities. All workshop participants reported that they had found the experience very positive, with one participant inspired to write a book of her life memories. The project has shown how heritage and oral history can be used to explore and understand non mainstream and under-represented groups of the population.