The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum will be able to keep Memory Lane Café running for three more years.

Following a highly successful 12-month pilot, the museum in Cheltenham has secured £3,240 in funding from the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust to support the monthly social group for older adults, including those living with dementia, and their carers.

Developed from the gallery's popular reminiscence sessions using museum loan boxes, Memory Lane Café has evolved into a person-centred programme which combines creative activities with meaningful conversation.

Each session is 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 12pm 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.

Margot Minnot-Thomas, learning and engagement producer at The Wilson, said: "This funding allows us to continue offering a much-needed programme that tackles social isolation, supports wellbeing and strengthens intergenerational conversation and memory-sharing."