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Memory Recall

What is it?

The aim of the Memory Recall Project is primarily to provide access to copies of historic materials from the 1930s to the 1970s, such as old maps, photographs and advertisements for elderly people who may be suffering from failing memory. It has been designed for carers or other group organisers in nursing homes or day centres to use to encourage older people to talk and interact with their carers and with each other in a group setting.

How did it start?

A request by staff at Cranham Drive Day Centre, Warndon, Worcester for old maps and photographs of the area to help some of their elderly visitors come out of their shells and to get them talking to other people about shared events from their past. The success of these materials in doing this, led the Worcestershire Record Office to see the potential in offering a service county-wide to all interested groups working with or for the elderly.

Memory Recall Project at Cranham Drive Day Centre, Warndon

Who is involved?

All staff at the Record Office, County Hall, are able to answer any general enquiries or take bookings for any of the Memory Recall Project boxes currently available. A dedicated member of staff is usually available to answer more specific enquiries on actual box contents and the project as a whole.

Do you cover my area?

The WRO has worked very hard in partnership with Social Services to extend the project. The Memory Recall Project currently covers Worcester (3 boxes), Bromsgrove, Kidderminster and Redditch. Boxes will be available on Droitwich by September 2000, and, if funding allows, more boxes will be added in 2001/2002.

Do I come to you or do you come to me?

The boxes have been designed to be self-explanatory, and so once a booking has been made, the carer or group organiser comes to the WRO to collect the Project Box. If you are borrowing a Project box for the first time, a member of staff will be happy to talk you through the Project Box and how best to use it. In exceptional circumstances, the WRO will come to you.

What happens next?

You will then be asked to sign a slip acknowledging your possession of the Project Box for the loan period and then it is yours to take away. You also have the chance at the end of the loan period to make any comments or suggestions about the Project Box, so that the WRO can act on any feedback.

Memory Recall Project at High Habberley Nursing Home, Kidderminster

How long do I get the loan box for?

The WRO has tried very hard to provide maximum flexibility, so that all homes and day centres may benefit, and not have to wait long periods before receiving a loan box. Each area has two identical loan boxes. One box is available on a monthly loan, so that the home or day centre can build it into a timetable or a wider project on a local area. The second box may be borrowed for a three-day period, either in the week from Monday to Thursday or during a weekend from Friday to Monday. However, if bookings permit, the box may be booked for the calendar week. This ensures that every home or day centre in the county has the chance to access one of the twelve boxes available within a short space of time.

Please contact the office for all enquiries, bookings or more information.