Key facts
Area: Northern Ireland
Grant recipient: Reminiscence Network Northern Ireland
Project: Sharing Memories Building Communities
Programme: Reaching Out: Connecting Older People
Date of award: March 2012
Amount awarded: £416,893
A reminiscence project is conjuring up memories of bygone times for isolated older people in Northern Ireland and helping them each create an innovative ‘Life Story Book.’
Reminiscence Network Northern Ireland was awarded a grant of £416,893 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Out: Connecting Older People programme for its Life Story Book and Creative Reminiscence Groups project.
The organisation will visit the homes of vulnerable older people across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to help them create the ‘Life Story Book,’ while running ‘Creative Reminiscence Groups’ for older people at day centres run by the Trust.
The project will encourage older people living with disabilities to look back at their life experiences, helping them create a book of lasting memories, building their relationships, reducing their loneliness and boosting their self-esteem and self worth.
“Because of conditions such as social isolation, depression, low self esteem and poor health some older people can feel like they are no longer viewed as someone who has led a full life and who deserves respect and recognition,” said Director Alexey Janes.
“The book helps staff get to know the people they are working with, and the older people feel they are seen as a genuine person.
“Up to now the Life Story Book has mainly been used with older people living in care homes, but this funding will mean we can take it out to the most vulnerable and isolated people in their homes, people who can’t or don’t want to come to a day centre.
“For those who attend the day centres our groups will also offer them the chance to relive their memories, covering themes such as childhood, singing, dancing and drama sessions. We are supporting older people living in the most extreme isolation who really need our support, giving them back their pride and self worth and helping to show they still have a lot to offer.”
Anne Greenan, 75, from east Belfast, organises and participates in Reminiscence Network sessions. “I thoroughly enjoy it. It just brings back things I thought I had forgotten about,” she said.
“At our last meeting everyone was talking about the old picture houses. Many of the people who come along have Alzheimer’s or early Alzheimer’s, but it is amazing how much they can remember. It’s a fantastic organisation and I don’t know what I would do without it.”