Our Basildon Memories
"For me it is very simple - Basildon is my home."
Angela Smith MP
"On a car journey around town I am pleased to see how many green places we pass. I have lived in other places where this is not the case and I am grateful I now live in Basildon."
Sue Randle, Secretary of CHASE
Our Memories
The pilot project we ran from October to November 2009 'Our Memories' was designed for two reasons with each element supporting the other.- To help combat feelings of isolation and improve the wellbeing of older people in our community.
- To celebrate the memories of the older people in our community and use them to add colour and dimension toward building a picture of the early years of Basildon's development, helping to build an archive about the development of Basildon at some point in the future.
"You've worked very hard, I feel like I've got a new lease of life" Albert, 94 on the final social session after completing a short town trail.
With the support of the Eastgate Management, at the time the Heritage Trail was launched until shortly afterwards, we had the use of an empty shop unit, otherwise known as the Heritage Hub in Eastgate Shopping Centre. The Hub was used to display the many photographs taken during the planning of the Trail; these photographs attracted many people to come in and talk to us about their experiences of Basildon while out shopping in the town.
"....it just makes you have a different outlook" Gwen, on young people after the first meeting
It was evident then, as it is now as seen through Our Memories that as people have the opportunity to talk, and more importantly are listened to, that they became happier, less fearful in some instances, and generally more confident.
This reminiscence programme aimed to raise spirits and help both young and old understand each other a little better by providing opportunities for both to come together in a comfortable non threatening environment to share memories and experiences about what it's like to live in the town, starting work, their schooldays, growing up etc; there were many obvious differences but also some surprising similarities between the generations.
"Basildon is a lovely green place really, people don't realise that.." Olive, talking about the town
We held a month of reminiscence or memory sessions based at three of the sheltered housing schemes run by St. George's Community Housing; www.sgch.org.uk Felmore Court, Riverview Court and Afflets Court plus three social events two of which were held at the George Hurd Day Centre off of Ghyllgrove, where we arranged good entertainment and a freshly cooked, healthy lunch served by 'Le Caf' based at St. Peter's Hospital in Maldon.
The importance of Reminiscence cannot be underestimated; Age Exchange, www.age-exchange.org.uk the leading reminiscence charity helped us plan, trained our volunteers and young people and delivered the memory sessions. Some of the videos from these will be available on our website shortly.
"I really really really can't believe how good the entertainment was and how hard you have all worked" Edith after the second entertainment day
Residents of the sheltered housing schemes were invited to attend along with elderly people from the surrounding areas. The programme was so popular that unfortunately some people were disappointed as the workshops quickly became full.
Young people 13-16 years of age joined the sessions in the third and fourth weeks from James Hornsby, Woodlands and De La Salle Schools in the town. This element was the key to the project's success as old and young gathered for over an hour per time to chat, exchanging memories and thoughts about their town and each other. The young people, who for many don't have people of such an elderly age in their lives, got a surprising insight into life eighty or ninety years ago and the elderly completed the sessions feeling that their contributions via their memories were valued, helping them gain a much needed sense of self worth.
"I am really disappointed this is the last session, I look forward to coming here" Rose
We could not have predicted the success of this project and we are now looking to develop this concept into a sustainable programme between our partners, so that in the future we see the end of the so called 'generation gap', leading to an improved understanding between the generations.
"...Please pass on these thanks to all concerned and tell them that no matter what the tabloid press would have us believe "THERE ARE FAR MORE GOOD YOUNGSTERS THAN THERE ARE WRONG 'UNS" In a thank you letter to Woodlands for arranging the Christmas lunch
Two of the immediate positive outcomes of this project resulted in two of the schools involved, Woodlands and De La Salle putting on Christmas events including a party with entertainment, a wonderful cooked lunch and a tour with the young people leading their new elderly friends around their classrooms.
"We had a wonderful time at Woodlands today and the youngsters could not have treated us any better and the meal was out of this world, many thanks for making it possible. Only problem was that at my age I had great difficulty deciding who was teacher and who was pupil, they all look so young!" Ron
For a full report on this project or if you would like to speak to us about developing a similar project in your area please email us and we will be happy to share our work with you. Briefly the outcomes include
- Older people who took part now have an increased sense of self worth and their mental health has very significantly improved
- We have a rich legacy emerging from the stories, recording and artefacts
- Support from local secondary schools who now want to build and develop sustainable links between their students and older people
- Young people are now starting to think about ageing in a positive light and can appreciate their own contribution to the community
"what are we going to do now?" Olive on the last session
Apart from the data that our partners at University of Essex have compiled for us, proving the success of this cross-generational reminiscence project there have been numerous other benefits. As they say 'a picture paints a thousand words'...these photos were taken at our entertainment days at George Hurd Day Centre and comments are from our participants.
"I think it's been lovely, I've really enjoyed it all" Beatrice
