Donation hopes to unlock memories

A special DVD pack has been gifted to 50 residential and care homes throughout the Sunderland area.

Memory Bank Sunderland is a unique reminiscence tool commissionedbySunderland Libraries Service. It was created in partnership with the North East Film Archive, using archive film to help support the older generation and the challenges they may face.

The donation will help care staff to support the wellbeing of all residents in their care, particularly through the current COVID-19 lockdown.

The distribution of the packs coincided with the national Dementia Awareness Week, which aims to help people learn more about the illness and raise money to try and find treatment and a cure.

Coun John Kelly, the portfolio holder for communities and culture at Sunderland City Council, said: “Memory Bank Sunderland is a wonderful resource designed to use archive film to unlock memories, prompting conversation and bring back to life previously shared memories.

“It can be used within a multitude of environments such as residential, day care, dementia cafés, hospitals and hospices for structured reminiscence work or as part of social events.

“The council is thrilled to be able to gift this resource and hope all residents and colleagues enjoy watching these through these challenging times."

Care homes across Sunderland are using the packs to help their residents interact with each other more.

For example, Elizabeth Fleming Care Home hosted a day to celebrate Dementia Awareness Week by using the DVDs to help their residents remember their lives in Sunderland.