A NEW scheme which uses old photographs and sound archives is helping care home residents to remember their lives.

Three Gwynedd Council care homes are benefitting from its Community Memory Chest project.

Two trainees from the council’s 'Managers of Tomorrow' initiative have been working on the special scheme involving residents from Plas Gwilym, Penygroes; Bryn Blodau, Llan Ffestiniog and Plas y Don in Pwllheli.

As part of the scheme, the council's Arawn Glyn and Sara Marged Jones, have put together community memory chests.

The boxes contain an album of old photographs and archived audio clips.

The intention is to help residents in care homes in Ffestiniog, Penygroes and Pwllheli, through the use of images, audio and spoken word, to recall memories from the region where they were raised.

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member who leads on Adults, Health and Wellbeing matters said: “With more of our residents living with conditions that affect memory, it’s important that we think of a new and different way to help people to live full lives.

"It’s nice to see a scheme like this that bridges generations, by offering a valuable experience to the residents in our homes and also to the council’s trainees.

“By including an empty scrap book, our hope is that the residents can add their own memories, and this will help to ensure that local stories are not forgotten.”

Sara Marged Jones from Gwynedd Council who worked on the project added: “It’s been a pleasure to visit the residential homes in Ffestiniog, Pwllheli and Penygroes in order to present the chests that are full of memories to the residents.

"We had a lot of fun hosting a quiz as well, which was a special way of hearing stories and encouraging discussion about the change that has been in our society. It was an unforgettable and very valuable experience.

"The chests are already being used by residents, and are a great help and talking point when families come to visit."