National Museums Liverpool (NML) has secured funding to deliver House of Memories Cymru in partnership with the Welsh Government, helping to support communities and individuals across Wales living with dementia.
House of Memories Cymru will be designed with House of Memories – National Museums Liverpool’s multi-award-winning dementia awareness programme. The programme plans to connect Welsh museums with the health and social care sector, supporting isolated older people and those living with dementia.
Through the production of a bespoke new package within the My House of Memories app – which will be available in both English and Welsh – users will engage in a range of activities. Using items from community and museum collections across Wales to spark memories and conversation with family and loved ones, the project will enable those living with dementia to engage with familiar and untold stories, as well as preserve their own memories. People can also get involved with House of Memories Cymru by taking part in digital training sessions and live workshops for family, friends and carers – all of which will equip users with resources for living well with dementia.
Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool, said: “From the Scottish Highlands to York, the United States to Singapore, House of Memories has worked throughout the world to bring museum resources to isolated communities and those living with dementia. I’m thrilled that House of Memories is now partnering with the Welsh Government on House of Memories Cymru – a project which I am confident will really benefit those living with dementia across Wales, as well as support the Welsh Government’s commitment to living and ageing well.”
Carol Rogers MBE, Director of House of Memories, said: “We believe House of Memories Cymru will be incredibly helpful in tackling pre-existing health inequalities, as well as furthering understanding of dementia as a whole through our work with families and carers. By developing community engagement in this way and linking communities with museums across Wales, we hope to promote a culturally rich and healthy lifestyle for those living with dementia – fostering health and wellbeing.”
The Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden said: “Museums as community spaces and sources for social memory can play a unique role in social care. House of Memories is an innovative museum-led programme which has created a resource that really looks at supporting those living with dementia, their professional carers and family carers together.”
“I’m really proud our funding is able to bring this distinct project to Wales, to create a bilingual version with Welsh objects and stories. It will build on the dementia friendly work that our local museums currently offer in their individual communities, improving access to Wales’ culture and heritage and delivering on our Programme for Government commitments. Museums across the country will be involved, so I’m looking forward to seeing the delivery of this project first-hand.”
House of Memories Cymru is part of National Museums Liverpool’s commitment to supporting people to live well with dementia.
Discover the full story of House of Memories and download the My House of Memories app here: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/house-of-memories
