Maternal memories sparked by pop-up museum at Ripon care home

A MOTHER’S meeting group gathered spontaneously among elderly residents at a Ripon care home when a pop-up museum sparked maternal memories.

An old-fashioned perambulator caught the eyes of several ladies living at Sycamore Hall Care Home, on Kearsley Road, during the exhibition.

The group, all 70 to 90 years of age, gathered to share their stories of using similar prams when they were raising their own children – over a half-a-century ago.

For one resident, June Carling, 87, the sight of a silver cross pram and baby doll took her back to her child-minding days.

She said: “It reminds me of all the babies I looked after for friends and neighbours – they all used to call me Auntie June – as well as my own two children.”

Other items in the pop-up museum included old games, which had residents reminiscing about playing them as children, such as Jacks in the schoolyard. A chamber pot also sparked laughter among the group.

Marjorie Robinson, 90, remembers having one in her childhood home. She said: “We used to call it a “Jerry” or a “guzunder” because it always went under the bed.”

Jill Scaife, activities coordinator at Sycamore Hall Care Home, said: “The pop up museum was a great, meaningful activity because it was available to everyone 24 hours a day seven days a week.

“It brought back lots of memories and sparked conversations. Family and friends were able to visit and reminisce with their loved ones.”

Following the success of the pop-up museum, which has been travelling around Hill Care Group homes across northern England, Sycamore Hall Care Home now plans to curate their own exhibition.

“We are appealing for donations of old items and already we’ve received several from family members,” said Jill. “If anyone would like to donate, please get in touch with the care home on 01765 606025.”