A £229,271 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is to allow Mansfield Museum to be accessible to more people.

The Better by Change Project aims to improve the representation of those with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities in the museum’s collection, temporary exhibitions, workforce and visitors.

A programme of events and workshops will explore and celebrate disability heritage, while a researcher will uncover hidden disability heritage in Mansfield as part of a temporary exhibition in 2024.

To develop and diversify audiences, particularly amongst the disability community, an Audience Forum will be established and new staff taken on.

Sian Booth, cultural services manager, said: “Three things I am passionate about in my role at Mansfield are community engagement, volunteers and audience development, so it’s fantastic to receive funding for a project to progress all three. Mansfield Museum is the people’s museum, where everyone is always welcome to visit, be warm and be safe, and this funding will allow us to spread that message further and wider.

“This funding has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, and we are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support.”

To hear about the project’s development or get involved as an individual or local community group, email Sian at [email protected].