Review: Aurora Wellbeing Heritage Hub. Is it a museum or something altogether more intriguing?

On World Mental Health Day last week, I had the privilege of attending the Museum Development Midland’s ‘Sense of Place’ event at the Aurora Wellbeing Centre in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. If Aurora isn’t yet on your radar, I urge you to make it a priority. More than just a wellbeing centre, Aurora is a sanctuary for those facing cancer, and at its core sits a small but powerful Heritage Hub—a ‘museum’ space that seamlessly integrates with the centre’s wider therapeutic mission.

Image: Aurora Historic Collection, Worksop

Beyond the Heritage Hub, the centre is a vibrant tapestry of support and community. It boasts a gym, café, craft activity spaces, treatment rooms, a charity shop, and a family counselling service, each space designed to nourish both body and mind. Yet, it is the Heritage Hub that weaves everything together, anchoring Aurora’s identity in the rich social history of the area. The museum’s collection is not simply for display—it serves a profound purpose, used extensively in reminiscence therapy to stimulate memory, encourage conversation, and foster emotional healing.

We often speak of the transformative power of museums, but at Aurora, this isn’t a theoretical concept—it’s a lived reality. During my visit, I observed visitors engaged in animated discussions, reminiscing about the town’s past, their own histories seamlessly intertwined with the objects on display. What struck me was the organic way in which history became part of everyday interactions. Many visitors were simply passing through, heading for the café or other facilities, yet found themselves pausing to reflect, to share stories, to connect. It was a poignant reminder that museums are not just repositories of the past—they are dynamic, evolving spaces where history continues to breathe.

Adding to this layered experience is the building itself. The Aurora Wellbeing Centre occupies the former Worksop Library and Museum, lending an extra dimension to its heritage credentials. The walls that once housed books and artefacts remain steeped in memory, and this sense of continuity is palpable. The structure itself has become part of the collection—a living, breathing artefact in its own right.

A particular area of interest for me is the role of commercial and social spaces in engaging new audiences. Museums often struggle to attract those who do not typically seek out cultural experiences, yet places like Aurora subtly bridge this gap. Visitors might arrive for a fitness session, a coffee, or a counselling appointment, only to find themselves drawn into the historical narrative of their town. The museum experience is not imposed; it is gently woven into the fabric of the centre’s daily activities. This accessibility is vital, particularly in a space where so many are grappling with the realities of illness. Here, history is not just a subject to be studied—it is a means of connection, a source of comfort, a reminder that we are all part of something larger.

Aurora Wellbeing Centre is more than a museum, more than a wellbeing hub—it is a testament to the power of heritage in healing. If you haven’t yet visited, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do.

#WorldMentalHealthDay #MuseumThinkingDifferently #HeritageAndHealing

Visit the Aurora Wellbeing Heritage Hub

Paul Baker