Reminiscence Works

I’m Geraldine from The Craft Teacher. I’ve been teaching Reminiscence and Crafts to teachers, carers and those in Social Care since 1976 when I first qualified as a Primary School Teacher from The Froebel Institute, Roehampton, UK.

Today I help people learn about and lead Reminiscence and Craft Sessions through online courses based on my teaching and learning experience.

I understand the challenges of leading Reminiscence Sessions.  Having taught many individuals how to create Life Story Books to use with those with Dementia, created my own Activity Books for use in Care, and contributed to Reminiscence Activity Manuals, I appreciate that a lack of time to develop ideas is a constant struggle for those working in this challenging area.

I know you have many demands that eat up your energy. I also know that you’d love to give more attention to researching Reminiscence Activity Ideas. I really appreciate that whilst you love the work, you may find some areas of Reminiscence challenging. Do any of these challenges fit with you?

  • You’re dedicated but stressed
  • Rotas don’t give you the time
  • Sessions are often last minute and sometimes lack planning
  • You’re low on both ideas and energy

I get it. What I want you to get is less stressed and more geared for fun. Because once you have the right help, Reminiscence sessions can be a pleasure.

We both know that it’s important work. It’s not just something to do. Somehow through the zillions of pages on Reminiscence you came here and found a solution – ‘Reminiscence Works’ – a monthly 5 part programme of ready-to-use Topic Ideas. I’m glad you’re here.

I started writing How To’s for teacher back in the 1990s when I worked in care homes with those with head injuries. The instructions worked and they asked for more. They liked the way they built into a library they could use when I wasn’t there. They liked the easy to follow layout and format.

It seemed that as a teacher I understood what they needed. That was something with back up, a plan, a format to follow. They wanted sections they could rely on, a style of writing they could easily read and relate to and a layout they could scan in a busy classroom.

So that became my plan. Writing instructions for busy teachers and leaders.

Reminiscence Works came from that, and as with anything, sometimes the sum of the parts is bigger than the whole! I know from talking to those who run Reminiscence Sessions that it fills a much needed gap. So here’s what you get:

1.       Topic Theme
Complete with resource suggestions for what to put On the Table to trigger those conversations. There’s a Topics Section full of trigger words to use as starting points for group talk. This is followed by a series of Topic Questions that you might include in your session to prompt individuals to contribute their stories and share their particular memories.

2.       Session Notes
The Topic Session Notes were put together to give you lots of background ideas.  They include some of my own stories to give you a ‘for instance’.  They may remind you of personal memories to share in your group. The Session Notes can be used as an extension of the topic or as an add-on. They give you information ‘behind the topic’ to help you develop your own ideas.

3.       Quotes
The Topic Quotes give you more material to build your session/s on your topic. It’s additional material to add into the mix when conversations need it.  The more information you have, the more confident you will feel in picking what works best for you, at any given time. One day it might be quotes – another session, Sayings might kick start things better.  It might encourage you to seek out favourite books and find sections that refer to the topic in hand. Leave yourself enough time if you do this, and note what works!

4.       Sayings
Our lives have been filled with local sayings – things we’ve lived by, and expressions we’ve learnt. They’ve all had an influence on our lives and our living. You'll get a page of them for  each topic included in your programme.

5.       20 question quiz and answers
I’ve included a light-hearted quiz to round off your topic. This can be used with anyone – those in your reminiscence sessions and others who may just wish to participate in a quiz. It’s fun and topical and will encourage more conversation on your month’s subject.

Together, all this will free you from research. It will ease your stress and provide you with a ready-made, ready-to-go set of materials that you can use to plan your sessions.

You can share it with colleagues and use it to share responsibilities, work out how best to use the various parts of the programme. You’ll find once you off load the responsibility of hunting ideas and dive into the done for you information that you’ll be free to do what you do best – lead your session.

You are not JUST a carer or Reminiscence Worker. You are adding value to lives and helping memories to be clearer, and voices to be heard.

I provide the information. You choose how to start the conversations.

They’ll soon be talking their socks off!

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