Real stories

How museums in Wales are making a difference for people with dementia

Museums Inspiring Memories is a three-year partnership between Amgueddfa Cymru and Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. 

It's led by Gareth Rees, Dementia Voice Lead at Amgueddfa Cymru, which is a family of seven museums across Wales and a National Collections Centre. 

Museums are so much more than collections in cases. 

'They are engaging spaces that offer lots of interactive and multisensory experiences,' says Gareth. 

‘One great example I can think of happened at the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon, South Wales. 

‘A visitor who was an ex-miner went from not talking to practically running our underground tour. The smell, sounds and physical environment gave him a holistic experience that must have prompted his memories of working underground. 

‘I’ve always enjoyed going to museums, so I’m acutely aware of the impact that they can have. But we want more people to have an experience like the gentleman at Big Pit.’ 
 

Benefits for people with dementia

Museums Inspiring Memories aims to look at how Amgueddfa Cymru’s museums and collections can be used to benefit the wellbeing of people affected by dementia. 

Although positive steps had already been taken to make Amgueddfa Cymru’s museums more dementia friendly, Gareth says the project has provided an opportunity to build on this work. 

‘Work was done at several of our museums, which led to activities such as a young-onset dementia walking group at St Fagans in Cardiff and an intergenerational group at Big Pit. 

‘When Museums Inspiring Memories began in 2022, it was an opportunity to build on these foundations and develop something across all our museums.’ 
 

Involving people with lived experience

Museums Inspiring Memories has gathered insights from other museums around the UK, such as Beamish in County Durham and Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and various local museums. 

However, Gareth underlines the contribution of people with lived experience of dementia. As well as bringing individuals and groups together at sessions in museums and other venues, his team has travelled to meet community groups, care home residents and professionals. 

‘We want the project to be as completely honest as possible. This means that everything we’ve produced has involved people with lived experience, whether it’s our staff training package or the sessions we offer to carers to encourage greater use of our heritage resources.’ 

Taking part in the project

Debbie, from Caerphilly, has young-onset dementia. She says that taking part in Museums Inspiring Memories has given her a ‘real purpose’. She’s excited to think about all the people it’ll go on to benefit. 

I feel quite privileged that they asked us to get involved, as I’ve got a lifelong love of museums and heritage. 

‘I get a warm, comforting feeling reading about history and visiting museums, particularly living museums that recreate historic settings, and I want more people with dementia to have this too.

‘I remember visiting one living museum and it was literally like going into my Nan’s house. I can’t explain the sensation, but it was as if my Nan was putting her arms around me.

It made me so happy, I didn’t want to leave. 

Debbie’s particularly enjoyed sharing her unique perspectives, including on the benefits of short museum visits for people with dementia. 

‘Even if it’s 20 minutes or half an hour, if you get that feeling I’ve described, it usually stays with you for the rest of the day and beyond, even though you don’t remember why you have it.’ 

Lorraine Davies, Dementia Support Worker at Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, has seen how enlightening Debbie’s views have been for Museums Inspiring Memories. 

‘One thing I thought was particularly powerful was seeing Debbie explain how somebody living with dementia takes in and benefits from experiences at museums, even if they can’t communicate it,’ says Lorraine. 

‘Museum staff members shouldn’t be discouraged if they don’t get an obvious response.’ 
 

Breaking down barriers

Ronnie, who lives near Llandudno and has young-onset dementia, has relished taking part too. She’s so enthused that she spoke at an event at St Fagans in May 2024 to launch the staff training package. 

She’s proud that her involvement will make a difference – from clearer toilet signs to museum staff knowing how to speak in a way that helps people with dementia feel safe. 

‘A lot of people purely think dementia is memory problems. They don’t know just how much it affects people physically and emotionally. For example, I experience noise sensitivity and that can massively affect my experience of being somewhere.’ 

Ronnie says it’s an ‘amazing feeling’ to think her contributions might break down barriers and inspire museum visits. 

‘Being in a museum is like turning on a switch inside you for a short time. Visiting with a carer or a family member can be a great day for everyone. 

Not only do you benefit but the people you’re with will also get a glimpse of who you are.

Lasting impact at museums

The involvement of people like Debbie and Ronnie, who both sit on Amgueddfa Cymru’s Dementia Voice in Heritage Group, has already had a meaningful impact. 

For example, Amgueddfa Cymru launched a dementia training package that is rolling out across its staff and volunteers, and will be made available to the wider heritage sector. 

The contributions of people with lived experience have been invaluable and have led to changes we’d never have thought of without their involvement .

Gareth’s excited about the project’s impact so far and seeing it develop. 

‘Our work so far has been to reflect what people have told us. By working in this way, we hope to benefit many more people in the future and continue developing our work at Amgueddfa Cymru.’