The MindLab Project. Local Museums Supporting Community Wellbeing Before and After UK Lockdown

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29311/mas.v18i3.3506

Keywords:

covid-19, mental health, wellbeing, community-based interventions, science discovery centre

Abstract

Catalyst is a science discovery centre and independent museum based in Widnes, United Kingdom. Since 2018, it has collaborated with mental health charity Mind Halton on The MindLab project; a science inspired wellbeing programme for residents local to the museum in an area where access to mental health support is low. As museums in the twenty-first century are being increasingly regarded as community resources capable of producing valuable social impact, this article considers the role of museums in harnessing this potential to enhance community health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reflects on the challenges encountered during this unprecedented period of lockdown, as well as the emerging opportunities through the perspectives of those delivering The MindLab project.

Author Biographies

Jade French, University of Leeds

Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies and Community Engagement Coordinator at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.

Nic Lunt, Mind Halton

Chief Executive Officer at Mind Halton.

Martin Pearson, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre

Chief Executive Officer at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.

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Published

14.10.2020

How to Cite

French, J., Lunt, N., & Pearson, M. (2020). The MindLab Project. Local Museums Supporting Community Wellbeing Before and After UK Lockdown. Museum & Society, 18(3), 314–318. https://doi.org/10.29311/mas.v18i3.3506

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 3 (2020): Special Issue: ‘Isolation as a collective experience’: Museums’ first responses to COVID-19

Section

Articles

License

Copyright remains with the author(s) of the article. This article can be re-used according to the terms of the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0  licence.