Memory Makers Bring Cracking Conversations To Care Home

Grantown care home residents had a cracking time reminiscing about Easter with volunteers from a local charity.

Lynemore Care Home played host to Memory Makers whose volunteers use props, music, dance and poetry to spark conversations about specific themes, in this case Easter.

Set up around a decade ago, Memory Makers consists of a team of four volunteers who visit care homes and day care centres in the Spey Valley and West Lothian, offering a blend of reminiscence therapy and creative expression to enhance the well-being of older people. This was the first of three planned visits to the home by the charity this spring.

Jasmin Mathew, activities coordinator at Lynemore care home said: “Our residents really enjoy speaking with Rona and Janet. It’s a chance to reminisce, speak about our interests, and channel that into a crafty, creative avenue.”

Volunteer Rona Smith said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to come in and work with the residents. Everybody has a story to tell. It’s amazing some of the things that you actually hear them talk about, and we just hope they enjoy the experience, whether it’s making things or talking or singing.

“It’s about reminiscence and overcoming a lack of self-confidence because a lot of people feel ‘I can’t do that’ but if you sit with someone and they have success, then success breeds success. It’s all about improving the person’s skills as well as reminiscing.”