Making Memories was an arthur+martha project, led by artist Lois Blackburn and poet Philip Davenport. We created a book of creative ‘recipes’ for artwork and poetry stimulated by Life History work.
Normally we just go about our everyday humdrum life. Doing this- it lifts you to think, otherwise you’re just a zombie. You’ve got to use your brain, if you don’t, you lose it. Participant
Groups of older participants in Oldham tried out all of the ideas. They reacted to objects and ideas we brought along. The groups often included people with dementia and people with significant physical challenges, like mobility issues, or visual impairment. The idea was to share creative ideas, stimulate reminiscence and turn it into the form of poems and artwork.
It’s something I have never done before, which I’m very grateful for. Challenge is good for the brain. Gives us something else to think about. Participant
In the bustle of a care home, there isn’t always time to come up with new activity ideas. It’s especially challenging to find unique activities. This little book contains two years-worth of creative experiments. Each of the recipes are custom made to last for an enjoyable half hour or hour. Some of them are even quicker, ideas for a 10 minute discussion. They’re a challenge, but an enjoyable challenge.
“Objects stimulate memory – we’ve seen this time and again. Lois passed a rolling pin around a group and people were immediately talking about the kitchens of their childhood. I watched Glenys hand a cotton shuttle from a mill to a group of older people with dementia. Their fascination with that object was electric. It seemed to Lois and I that something could be done with that energy, generated by significant objects.” Philip
Creative activities can bring focus to objects. They help to find a shape for the emotions. They also shape the recollections that the objects bring. They can also help you go deeper. If you try to search for words that express how much an old teddy bear meant to you as a child, you’ll realize it’s more than just an object. It becomes a doorway back into the past.
“People can be shut off by embarrassment. There’s a stigma with mental health and society needs to address that. But I find activities like this therapeutic. People feel comfortable, not threatened, at ease with others. It engenders a feeling of confidence and fellowship.”
Participant in Springboard, dementia group, Oldham
The Making Memories project was funded by the Barings Foundation and in a partnership with Gallery Oldham.
Participants 394 people, aged between 65-100
Lois Blackburn 