PUPILS at Antrobus Primary School have been learning how to preserve their cherished memories by creating their own memory boxes.

The session was led by Rachel Holland, from Co-op Funeralcare on London Road, as part of a tour of primary schools across Northwich.

Memory boxes are a new initiative created by Co-op with an aim being to trigger long-term memory recognition for those living with dementia.

By creating their own boxes, pupils will be able to re-visit them before heading off to secondary school in the near future.

“The memory boxes sessions are a way of allowing the children to identify objects which currently hold importance to them in some way or another,” said Rachel.

“With the world we currently live in being focused on social media, I think it is incredibly important that the children will have some lovely physical memories to look back on.”

Northwich Guardian:

The concept was initially devised when one Co-op funeral director became mindful that many people within his local community were being affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s, leaving them feeling lonely.

People can therefore open their boxes and engage with the memorabilia inside, prompting conversations about their lives and helping them to reminisce about the past.

Within the sessions, Rachel introduced children to memory box idea and gave examples of her own memorabilia, including old teddies, coins and her wedding tiara.

Cardboard boxes and decorations were provided by the school which allowed the children to personalise their boxes.

They also had their photograph taken and were asked to complete an ‘About Me’ sheet, capturing details about what they would like to be when they grow up.

Rachel will be holding memory box sessions at Rudheath Primary School and Hartford Manor Primary School in the coming weeks.

For any enquiries about the memory box initiative, please contact Rachel at Co-op Funeralcare Northwich on 01606 41833.