A trip down Memory Lane at Overbury House, thanks to the Co-Op

Co-op Funeralcare in Wroxham has partnered with four care homes across the local area for a memory initiative, which is supporting local residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The Wroxham home has partnered with Overbury House, a nursing and residential home on the Norfolk Broads, to distribute ‘memory cards’, an activity to help engage and support those in the care home.

As part of the Co-op’s ongoing work with the local community, the project has seen cards with movie or sporting themes donated to homes in the area, which have been particularly beneficial for residents with dementia to help them remember and reminisce.

The funeral home is now calling on residents in the local area to donate their own unwanted memorabilia from bygone eras which it will incorporate into the boxes before packaging them up and donating them to local care homes.

Geoff Hayzelden, Funeral Director at Co-op Funeralcare in Wroxham, said: “It was really great to see that our cards and the memory box initiative was so well received by the residents. We donated cards and boxes across the area and I was really struck with how adept and quick the residents were in recalling sporting heroes and movie stars, despite living with Alzheimer’s.

“Although it was a fun game for the residents, it is also a really beneficial exercise to help keep the brain active for those with dementia. We love getting involved in initiatives such as this, or through others such as our Local Cause Partnership, which donates a percentage of sales to local worthy causes. It’s really great to be able to play a part in the community again, after what has been an incredibly difficult time for many in the area.”

Elaine Wilcox, the homes’ activities coordinator, commented: “The memory cards and boxes have gone down extremely well with our residents – we love them. I especially like the memory box as it really helps residents in recollecting events from throughout their lives. It really is a wonderful initiative.”

Alison Hilditch, home manager at Overbury House, said: “Thanks to the help of Co-op Funeralcare, we have had some great donations which have encouraged our residents to reminisce about their lives, despite their conditions. It has been a tough time for many in the area, but the initiative has really brought smiles to the faces of our residents.”

To donate items of memorabilia to the memory box initiative, please call Geoff on 01603 783797

Pip Rich