Memory Boxes

In 2016 we were approached by Derby Royal Hospital Library and Knowledge Service to see if we would like to be part of an innovative health and wellbeing project aiming to reconnect dementia patients to their memories. We couldn’t refuse!

Working with hospital and Trust staff, Nature’s Memories, a nature box scheme, was created. It was designed to bring a bit of nature indoors to stimulate people’s senses and trigger people’s memories from earlier years, a time when they enjoyed the pleasures of being outdoors and exploring the natural world.

We thought long and hard about what needed to be in the special box and included a variety of items such as a cuddly singing robin and blackbird, linking sound memories to birdsong. Colourful pictures of landscapes such as traditional wild flower meadows in summer and ancient autumnal woodlands, hoping to remind people of where they may once have explored and played, and memories linked to the seasons and weather.

We also added a jar of toy tadpoles, a dipping net, and a magnifying glass – sparking memories of learning about wildlife as a tot. Meanwhile a collection of conkers was there to help people reminisce of other fond childhood games. Jars of herbs like wild marjoram, wild thyme and lavender were there to trigger memories using scent. Whilst the sense of touch is brought into play with shells, stones, and even a toy slug!

With the groundwork done, in 2017 we started our pilot study. The special memory box was used in six sessions with a total of 92 dementia patients, in both hospital wards and Day Centres across Derby and the Derbyshire Dales.

The format for each session included Derbyshire Wildlife Trust staff and Hospital Library staff tailoring individual box contents to each patient. This meant every patient had the best chance to recollect a memory. Some people got engrossed in one particular thing; the butterfly chart was a big hit, whilst others enjoyed a wide range of objects from the box.

It was extremely special to hear the stories that started to unfold, fond memories of collecting tadpoles as a child and sitting in the long grass making daisy chains. The more we spent time with the patients, the more we could see their stress and agitation dissipate and the smiles were contagious. Some of their comments really stuck with

us, “That was a breath of fresh air... thank you.” and “It’s lovely to hear birdsong” reminded us of the importance of the small things, the things we, unknowingly, take for granted, until it is too late.

Emma, People Engagement Officer said “I visited many bays where patients were able to interact on varying levels, it was just a wonderful and heart-warming day, to see the smiles on the patients’ faces, to hear them laugh and to see their eyes light up as we talked about wildlife and nature and any memories they had. It is well researched that nature and greenspaces improve recovery and wellbeing and I truly believe that this can be achieved through pictures, objects and conversations if a patient can not physically get outdoors. I really hope that this holistic approach to patient care makes a positive difference to the patients and provides them with happy and positive memories during their stay at Derby Royal.”

We can certainly say it was well received by all the participants.

Staff at Royal Derby Hospital unanimously recognised the positive effect the box had for patients, the objects really did help to stimulate animated discussions, trigger memories, and provide a distraction at a time of life that can be extremely distressing. Belinda Bradley from, Royal Derby said, “when I went in today one of the patients asked if I had the robin with me. Last week when I did the wildlife session I gave her the robin to cuddle and she sat with it on her knee talking to it.” The recollection of a short term memory is quite remarkable in a dementia patient.

The Hospital Library Service have requested the production of more nature memory boxes so they can be used in other hospitals and Day Centres.

This means the project will continue to grow and go from strength to strength. Other themed boxes have also been sponsored including a transport box, a pampering box, a seaside box and a baby box. So, watch this space!