The Museum of East Dorset is proud to support The Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Action Week from 18th to 24th May with the return of its much loved Forget Me Knots display and the introduction of a Memory Tree, inviting the local community to share memories of loved ones affected by dementia.
Following its hugely successful Forget Me Knots campaign last year, which encouraged knitters and crocheters from all over the country to create woollen flowers, the museum will once again display some of its 9000 hand knitted blue and yellow forget me nots throughout its historic townhouse building. The flowers act as a powerful visual reminder of the impact of dementia and the importance of understanding, compassion and community support.
New for this year is a Memory Tree, located on the shop counter inside the museum. Visitors are warmly invited to add a name or a short memory of someone who has, or had, dementia. Memory labels are supplied free of charge at the front desk, and while there is no obligation to donate, visitors are welcome to contribute to support dementia-related work if they wish.
To help raise funds, the museum will also be selling knitted Forget Me Knot pin badges at £3 each and Freddie the Dementia Teddy at £9.95. Freddie teddies are lovingly handknitted by dedicated museum volunteer Sally Palmer. All proceeds will support the museum’s ongoing range of dementia-friendly initiatives supporting the local community.
The Museum of East Dorset has a strong commitment to being a dementia friendly organisation. Alongside in museum activities, it runs Reminiscence Outreach sessions, taking objects and stories from the museum into the community. These sessions are designed to spark conversation, memories and connection, particularly for older people and those living with dementia, helping to improve wellbeing and reduce isolation.
Andy Putt, Operations Manager at the Museum of East Dorset, said: “Dementia Action Week is an important opportunity to raise awareness and invite conversation. Our Forget Me Knots and Memory Tree give people a simple but meaningful way to remember loved ones and show their support, while our outreach work helps us take the museum beyond our walls and into the heart of the community.”
He added; “The Museum of East Dorset invites everyone to visit during Dementia Action Week, add a memory and be part of a supportive, understanding community.”
