The Object Project was a success because it centred on people. Lin and Jane had a unique and caring way of 'fitting in' with our community, and sensitively encouraged us to try things we hadn't done before. Its legacy has been an increase in confidence, new friendships being made, and a shared appreciation of contemporary art. The project was not just about art; it has been a transformative experience for everyone involved.

Every single part of this project has been done professionally.

I felt so safe in the group - I could appreciate everything - loads of strong women. I felt like the person I wanted to be - I felt dead safe and comfortable.

I really enjoyed it, I've never been in there before. (Liverpool Tate)

I totally enjoyed the gallery visits and I've been back since. I'm taking my granddaughter with me next week.

On the sculpture workshops my mind was blank for quite a while and it was a challenge at first, but once you got in your mind what you were doing I loved it - an enjoyable challenge.

I've looked forward to it, it's really helped me. I usually dread things. It's really been the best thing I've done for, I couldn't tell you how long. This has brought me back to a time when I felt free.

The experience [of sharing my object] was very emotional. It was nice to share the objects and nice to express the emotional connection with them as I don't normally talk about them.

The fact remains that the transaction between people and things constitutes a central aspect of the human condition. Past memories, present experiences and future dreams of each person are inextricably linked to the objects that comprise his or her environment.

I really enjoyed sharing my object at home.

I loved showing my object - it's just in my room and nobody sees it, so it was nice to show someone else.

Things make people, just as much as people make things.

I do go to galleries but going with the group was a different experience.

I don't really know many people round here; the project has helped with that.

We know that objects, whether built environment or small personal effects, are symbolic memory devices; that is, they stimulate remembering. As public historians we understand that memory is an ongoing process through which we create usable narratives that explain the world in which we live, stories that inevitably connect us to each other, history that builds community. The community we create is founded in shared rememberance and grounded in place, especially those places that are conducive to the casual associations necessary for the emergence of shared memory, common ground, and commitment to the common good. Place, memories and stories are inextricably connected, and we cannot create a real community without those elements.

I didn't know the workshops would bring out ideas the way it did and it was lovely to touch the materials.

The gallery visits were eye-opening. They're not places I would normally visit and I found it a very interesting experience.

Completely different to what I thought it would be like. I had the chance to express my own thoughts without feeling stupid or daft. You didn't have to be an artist to have an opinion. The experience was being able to have your say. No one has given us that opportunity before.

It's brought a lot of the community together.

My object was something I didn't realise meant so much to me until the project.

I've never really thought about the paintings on the wall the way we did when we were together.

One knows who one is by the objects one owns and by how one uses them.

I thought I was going to be bored, but I really wasn't. It was the total opposite of what I thought. I loved it, actually.

People say that art is not part of reality but it is; it's shut out, but it is part of your life.

I was a bit nervous about sharing my object at first - I was wondering if I'd disappoint people - I wondered what the other people would be sharing - but I became more confident as I was talking about it because other stuff started coming out.

I feel I can walk in there - you can be educated, uneducated, rich or poor. I feel confident and positive about the future because of this.

I've always been scared of making stuff with my hands - I've always shied away from sculpture - but it was a great group and when I watched other people working I just got into it, focussed, and it was probably my favourite day - making things with my hands, with the metal and the clay.

The workshop experience was wonderful. It made me realise I can do things if I put my mind to it. I'd never made anything like that before.