Blackpool and The Fylde College has struck up a unique partnership with Age Concern Blackpool & District to design and produce ‘activity boxes’, intended to engage with and stimulate the minds of people with Dementia.

The College’s input came about as a result of a research project being undertaken by Peter Brooks, a lecturer in the School of Society, Health and Childhood at the College. Peter, whose background is working with people who have learning disabilities and mental health problems, said:

“I wanted to do some research which would have a positive impact for service users, their families and carers I also wanted to involve the students from each level of courses we teach in Health and Social Care.

“While charities and organisations do a great job working with people who have Dementia, I felt we could offer more meaningful activities than the traditional bingo and dominoes! I came up with the idea of the activity boxes and the students were really enthusiastic about making them so we decided to make some prototypes to show Age Concern.”

The boxes have different themes – there’s a music box which has a collection of war songs, ballads, rock and roll, photographs and chart histories from 1952 to the present day a knitting and crochet box with some wool and a selection of old patterns, and a seaside box with sand, vintage pictures of Blackpool, shells and even a miniature deckchair. There are also everyday items like clothes pegs and laundry accessories – anything which can help to rouse memories.

Peter carried out independent research in residential settings in South and West Lancashire and found the boxes were really well received, particularly the music box.

The lecturer also met with Pamela Hill, Support Services Senior Manager for Age Concern Blackpool & District. She too was having thoughts about developing Activity Boxes to encourage those who suffer with dementia and their carers to be able to spend quality time together, and for the carer to become more aware of the types of activities that can help the person they are caring for.

Pamela said:

“I had been looking after my own Mum who suffered from dementia and I used to engage her with a number of different activities that helped her. Mum inspired me to want to do something to help others who suffer the condition.

“Peter and I met up to look at how we could work together and we realised that we are both extremely passionate about the need to create something that can help to stimulate the mind of a dementia sufferer. Pamela obtained independent funding to employ a project worker to deliver and develop the activity boxes which will be available to people with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers, both in residential care settings, in their own homes and in community settings.

She continued:

“This is an excellent example of an innovative partnership working which cuts across generations and supports the local community. The project also builds on our current support for older people with mental ill health and dementia and allows us to further expand the skills and expertise that has been developed over the years”

Laura Slack, an OCR Level 3 Pathway to Nursing student said:

"We've been making up all the boxes at College. I think they're brilliant. It will be really rewarding when we see the positive effects that they have on people."