Mapping the Change exhibition was launch May 17 Photo:Steven Ren

Mapping the change, a four year-long Hackney Museum project recording the changes in East Londoners’ lives in the run up the London 2012 Games has been launched as a major exhibition.

The project, funded mainly by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), is documenting the impact of the coming Olympic and Paralympics Games on the lives of people living in Hackney.

More than 5,000 people from all walks of life in the community were involved with the project.

It has produced multimedia riches of film, written, audio and photographic based records archiving the changes in their lives as well as their responses to them.

Activities have included oral history recordings in Hackney and Fish Island, photo competitions in Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest; community journalism courses; art and heritage workshops; documentary films, history walks and talks; an extensive schools and families programme and a series of community exhibitions at Hackney Museum and other community venues.

Jonathan McShane, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Health & Community Services said: “Hackney co-hosting the London 2012 Games is not only about new buildings, better transport and job opportunities, it is about people experiencing change in preparation for what will be a major event in history. Mapping the Change will provide us with a revealing and valuable account for future generations to look back on.”

Ron Newman, a Hackney resident who joined the community journalism course, told us how the project has changed him.

The exhibition is free to enter and will run until September 15. To find out more or get involved contact Hackney Museum on 020 8356 3500 or mappingthechange@hackney.gov.uk.