A mobile museum created by National Museums Liverpool’s dementia awareness programme, House of Memories, will soon mark 100 visits to care homes and community settings in and around Liverpool, and celebrate its role in supporting older people and people living with dementia.
The touring 30 metre square mobile museum, dubbed ‘House of Memories On The Road’, launched in 2021 and was designed to create memorable experiences for older people, vulnerable people, and people living with dementia. The vehicle meets people in their neighbourhoods – at settings like care homes, community centres and even local shopping car parks – where it transforms from a compact van into an immersive museum, cinema and activity space.
Using immersive technology, House of Memories On The Road recreates the sights and sounds of the past through a virtual ‘front door’, including a visit to a 1950s grocery shop and a virtual day out at the seaside. Its ability to allow people to explore memories gone by and support reminiscence activities can offer particular support to those living with dementia and their carers, and can spark fascinating conversations among groups.
Lizzie Salter, House of Memories Programme Manager, said: “There are some really magical moments that happen when older people and people living with dementia visit our On The Road vehicle. We’ve had people recall memories from more than 70 years ago when they’ve seen a familiar street or city scene appear inside the mobile museum. We’ve even had non-verbal people who are living with dementia engage with the museum content through song, when they’ve heard a favourite piece of music from the past.”
Success since launch
Since launching, House of Memories On The Road has visited residential homes, nursing homes, housing trusts, NHS trusts, council buildings, education settings, community centres, events and fairs across the North West. The House of Memories team also host regular open days at National Museums Liverpool’s museums and galleries , allowing the public to step back in time and enjoy immersive experiences too.
Organisations and businesses of any size can book the mobile museum from £600 + VAT per day. The House of Memories website provides practical information for those wishing to book, including a risk assessment.
House of Memories is National Museums Liverpool’s museum-led dementia awareness training programme. It offers training, resources and activities to enable caregivers to provide person-centred care for people living with dementia.
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