A project in Darlington is aiming to help people who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s reconnect with their upbringing. 

The Reminiscence Room in Darlington Library, designed to spark conversations and memories of the past, has been able to expand after a donation from a charitable organisation.

The cash gift from Darlington Rotary has enabled the library to buy ten ‘memory boxes’ containing articles, photographs and other material to spark interest and help those with dementia.

Suzy Hill (right) and Mandy Fay at the librarySuzy Hill (right) and Mandy Fay at the library (Image: DARLINGTON LIBRARY) The newly refurbished Reminiscence Room at the library - the former original Ladies Reading Room - was visited by Darlington Rotary President Jeff Mann this week.

Jeff said: "It’s a pleasure to help local services who are doing so much to make life better for people in the town."

Mandy Fay, the Local Studies and Reference Team Leader at the library, said: "The room is bookable and free and we’d like to get the message out there that it is a service that anyone can use, whether they are new to the area or were born and brought up in Darlington."

The boxes have different themes, such as growing up in the 50s and 60s, Christmas, shopping, women’s war, transport and the Royal family.

Mandy said she had researched the idea through other libraries and it had been found to be very beneficial for the older generations.

The room was first opened after the library was restored in September last year.

"There is interest from care homes and we also loan the boxes out to them. We’re very grateful to Darlington Rotary for helping develop this service," library manager Suzy Hill added.

"The library also has a ‘golden moments’ group which meets monthly and attracts older people and, working with Alzheimer's UK, those with dementia."