DEMENTIA link workers based at the Dilke and Lydney hospitals have set up a new initiative to help patients with dementia – with the use of 'reminiscence boxes', and they are appealing for help in their creation.

The boxes will contain thought and memory provoking items from the past, including general memorabilia from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s such as old packaging, products, money, pictures, toys and games, and also local memorabilia from the Forest of Dean including books, pictures, objects, and old newspapers.

Graham Ellis, occupational therapist at the Dilke Hospital told the Review: "The reminiscence boxes will allow patients to remember feelings and events from the past in a nostalgic way.

"To do this successfully it's important to know about the person's past, and so we encourage relatives to complete a booklet called 'This Is Me'. It is a simple and practical tool that people with dementia can use to tell staff about their needs, preferences, likes, dislikes and interests – and it can give us information about their past.

"For a person who lives in the past, and for whom the present may seem confusing, reminiscence can be a very reassuring activity."

He added: "The boxes will be part of some major changes in the in-patient unit. We've been exploring how to make the ward more dementia friendly and so new building work is due to start soon, plus we have new furniture, new volunteers, plus ongoing work around how to support people with dementia and cognitive issues."

Anyone with original items that they would be willing to donate to be included in the reminiscence boxes is asked to call 0300 421 8656 and leave their details, and a dementia link worker will be in contact.