GEM Conference 2023: “Sensing the Past”

In the latest #GEMConference2023 blog by Alex Briggs, read about incredible #SensingthePast project at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery .

Visually impaired individuals often face isolation in their surroundings. This initiative aims to change that narrative by creating a safe and supportive space, bridging the gap of isolation.

It's a fantastic example of the vital work to engage underserved audiences with our partner museums. Supported by Arts Council England through our partnership National Portfolio Organisation programme.

Read the full blog post: https://gem.org.uk/gem-conference-2023-sensing-the-past/

Funded by Wessex Museums Partnership – A collaborative project with Dorset Museum, Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and members of the Dorset Blind Association October and November 2022.

Many visually impaired people often feel disconnected and isolated from their environment making them one of the most vulnerable groups during the Covid 19 pandemic. Blind and visually impaired people often experience high levels of anxiety when visiting public spaces. “Sensing the Past,” funded by Wessex Museums Partnerships was created to connect participants with a shared interest in an environment where they felt safe and supported.

Members of the Dorset Blind Association (DBA) were given two on line talks by Earth Scientist and Wessex Museums Partnership engagement lead Dr Anjana Khatwa and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre (CHCC) warden and engagement lead Anna Holbrook. Two outreach visits to the groups across Dorset were undertaken with handling fossils and objects to inspire interest and participation.

Sessions at Dorset Museum and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

The group explored the Dorset coast through a sensory session at Dorset Museum and a visit on location to the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre in October and November 2022. ?Fossil and shell casting in clay and plaster at Dorset Museum proved to be very enjoyable, participants experienced the indentation of the fossil in the clay and the setting of the plaster in the clay whilst learning about how fossils are created.

A member of the group explained “The sensory experience is really good as you can feel everything in the plaster first and in the clay you can feel where the fossil has been pushed in and where the plaster cast came out. You can feel every little line, nook and crannie and everything that has come out has been preserved in the plaster cast. It is a very moving impression as because when I had my sight before I can build a picture in my mind of what I am holding in my hand as I move my fingers over each bump.

Read the full blog post: https://gem.org.uk/gem-conference-2023-sensing-the-past/