FPC is delighted to pledge its support for the annual Big Give Christmas Challenge and have nominated two organisations, House of Memories and The Mango Tree to receive funding during campaign week (1 – 8 December).
National Museums Liverpool (NML) is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge to combat loneliness among older people and support people living with dementia by fundraising for a new tablet loan service as part of its flagship House of Memories programme. The loan service will also include an online workshop to enable older people to access the My House of Memories app. The Connect My Memories project aims to tackle financial and digital exclusion by targeting families and unpaid carers,who may not have access to resources available to professional carers.
Based on the power of objects to elicit deeply held memories, the free app allows people to explore everyday objects from the 1920s to 1980s. Objects like cinema tickets, a Singer sewing machine and a 10-shilling note, brought to life with music and film, can help those living with dementia draw on memories to create personal connections with family, friends and caregivers.
This follows a series of joint initiatives between FPC and the House of Memories team to support people living with dementia and their carers. Since 2012 FPC contributions have helped to fund memory suitcases, training workshops and resources for care homes.
Carol Rogers said: “While it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas can be quite stressful, especially this year as we have to adjust our plans according to the pandemic. But for those living with dementia, Christmas poses additional challenges such as disruption to your routine and a change of décor. It can also exacerbate feelings of loneliness for those who are on their own. That’s why this Christmas we are asking people to spare a thought for those who have a heightened sense of confusion or loneliness. Socially isolated, vulnerable or disadvantaged older people often feel they are a burden and rarely try to access support. By backing our campaign, you could help families and carers support older people and those living with dementia by exploring objects from the past and sharing memories together.”
My House of Memories user Tommy Dunne, who lives with dementia, is a founder member of the Liverpool Service User Reference Forum (SURF), a group of people who represent the views of people living with dementia, their carers and families across Liverpool. He said: “This isn’t just a loan service, this is a gift of life. It’s not often that you get to give the gift of life. To give people their life back to prevent social isolation, and we all know that social isolation is one of the biggest killers.”
Our second Big Give contribution is going to The Mango Tree, founded by long term clients, William and Gail Fulton in 2003. This Orphan Support Programme aims to give better access to education for orphans, disadvantaged children and young people in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Uganda.
Our donation will support their Learning and Skills 4 Life Project in Malawi towards education, training and activities such as extra tuition, school water, sanitation and gardening projects, sexual health and women’s business development in the Mwanza District to support post-Covid-19 recovery. The project aims to:
- Improve health and hygiene for children in school through access to clean separate toilets, clean water and hand washing facilities
- Ensure education retention and transition for disadvantaged children and young people
- Provide new opportunities for women to gain new skills and establish their own small businesses
- Establish cohesive gender-led networks which support girls, provide psychosocial support and work to reduce HIV and Covid-19 related GBV, trauma and isolation
Founder, William Fulton comments “Having seen the shocking poverty and deprivation in Mwanza for myself, I know that this project will have a very great impact on the lives of so many people, which will bring hope and encouragement to this community.”
Managing Partner, Moira O’Shaughnessy comments “As long terms supporters of both House of Memories and The Mango Tree, we didn’t want to miss an opportunity to have our annual donation doubled by the Big Give Christmas Challenge. We would like to raise awareness of both of these great initiatives at a time when they need it most.”
If you would like to offer your support to these two fantastic projects by making a donation, visit the House of Memories or The Mango Tree pages at the Big Give’s website. Donations are open from 12pm (noon) on Tuesday 1 December 2020 to 12.00pm on Tuesday 8 December 2020.
