Using museum collections to support the wellbeing of people living with dementia and their carers
MonLife Heritage offers a range of reminiscence and creative activities across Monmouthshire, from facilitated outreach programmes to reminiscence boxes for loans to care homes and other settings.
At the core of programming for older adults, and people living with dementia and their carers, is a focus on wellbeing. The service uses traditional social history objects for reminiscence and historic replicas based on our museum collections, offering opportunities for conversation and inspiration for creative activity.
Partnership working is central to delivery. The museum service works with the National Exercise Referral Scheme, funded by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, to offer 12-week programmes of gentle exercise followed by object-handling and creative activity for people living with dementia and their carers. In partnership with Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, we also deliver a weekly session in Caerwent Roman town.
With funding from the Museums Federation Cymru, we recently developed themed Memory Boxes that can be borrowed from the county’s libraries. Containing a range of handling objects, object information and conversation prompts, they facilitate reminiscence activity at home for people unable to join regular programmes.
Advertisement
Responses to evaluation from outreach programme participants indicate a variety of benefits related to wellbeing:
“Due to being smaller groups – helped to rebuild confidence.”
“Very relaxing, fun, and educational.”
“It has helped me a lot.”
“Meeting new people and getting out.”
“Something to look forward to.”
Building on this experience of working with people living with dementia in the community, MonLife Heritage will be developing a new dementia-friendly gallery in Chepstow Museum from 2026-28, funded by the Welsh Government and Museums Federation Cymru.
We will undertake consultation with people living with dementia and their carers to inform object selection and ensure a person-centred approach in the gallery.