PEOPLE across the district are being asked to share old family photos and details of heirlooms to become part of a new online archive.

The initiative will showcase objects, stories and pictures in a celebration of the Bradford district.

And the project will culminate in the summer with the premiere of a short film highlighting some of the stories.

The New Focus venture – Bradford Family Archive – has been supported with a so-called RESPONSE grant from Bradford Council. The grants were launched to help the arts and culture sector develop projects to aid people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis.

To get involved, people should join the Bradford Family Archive group on Facebook.

Then find an old photo or take a picture of an heirloom object, write a 50-word family story and post it on the group Facebook page or on Instagram ­– tagging @ImpNewFocus and adding the hashtag #BradfordFamilyArchive.

People who don’t use social media can email their photo and story to newfocus@impressions-gallery.com.

The deadline for submissions is June 30.

As part of the scheme, New Focus is also hosting Photographs and Laughs – a weekly meet-up via the video conferencing service, Zoom.

The sessions, which take place every Thursday from 3pm to 4pm, enable people to chat and share stories.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, said: “We recognised early on in the coronavirus pandemic that the arts and culture sector would be affected and also that many people in our district may become isolated and struggle with their mental health and wellbeing as a consequence.

“The amazing arts and culture sector in Bradford is wonderfully resourceful at creating solutions and generating ideas and the projects that we’re supporting are really making a difference to people from across the district, by helping them to express their feelings through creative activities.”

For further information about the Bradford Family Archive project, visit impressions-gallery.com.

Over 50 projects, helping people of all ages in the district, have so far been supported by RESPONSE grants. Details can be found at visitbradford.com/daysin.