Lifelines – an exhibition celebrating the lives of people in our community
People are living longer; consequently, more of us in the future may live alone or be supported only by non-family carers; and more of us are likely to suffer dementia.
The Milton Keynes Community Foundation’s Vital Signs Report revealed that in 2013 there were 10,190 people over 65 living alone in the new city.Studies have shown that the more connected we are, the better we fare. We are highly social creatures. We don’t thrive in isolation and neither do our brains.
Living Archive Milton Keynes’ LifeLines project seeks to tackle these issues in a positive and unique way. It offers a chance for local elderly people living alone, in care homes or in palliative care, to leave an audio record of their lives for their families and for current and future generations in Milton Keynes.
‘Everybody has a story to tell’ is the mantra of Living Archive Milton Keynes. The act of telling and recording a story enables people to establish their role in their community and to reflect on their life contribution and its legacy.
The LifeLines pilot project, funded by MK Community Foundation and Milton Keynes Council sought to explore the potential of this idea and we worked with staff at Shenley Extra Care Village. A number of resident befrienders and family members were trained in interviewing and audio recording skills and in specifically dealing with people with dementia. Then 8 elderly people at the Village were given a chance to tell the volunteers their story, and through that process to reduce their isolation and reconnect to the rest of the residents in the village.
See our film about the project below.
The Milton Keynes Community Foundation’s Vital Signs Report revealed that in 2013 there were 10,190 people over 65 living alone in the new city.Studies have shown that the more connected we are, the better we fare. We are highly social creatures. We don’t thrive in isolation and neither do our brains.
Living Archive Milton Keynes’ LifeLines project seeks to tackle these issues in a positive and unique way. It offers a chance for local elderly people living alone, in care homes or in palliative care, to leave an audio record of their lives for their families and for current and future generations in Milton Keynes.
‘Everybody has a story to tell’ is the mantra of Living Archive Milton Keynes. The act of telling and recording a story enables people to establish their role in their community and to reflect on their life contribution and its legacy.
The LifeLines pilot project, funded by MK Community Foundation and Milton Keynes Council sought to explore the potential of this idea and we worked with staff at Shenley Extra Care Village. A number of resident befrienders and family members were trained in interviewing and audio recording skills and in specifically dealing with people with dementia. Then 8 elderly people at the Village were given a chance to tell the volunteers their story, and through that process to reduce their isolation and reconnect to the rest of the residents in the village.
See our film about the project below.
