National Museums Liverpool’s award-winning dementia programme House of Memories will work with Brighton and Hove LGBT+ Switchboard to create an app to support people living with dementia in the LGBTQ+ community.
Funded by Alzheimer Research UK’s Inspire Fund, House of Memories will work with Switchboard – a ‘by and for’ charity that supports the LGBTQ+ communities – to collect a digital archive of audio, video, objects and photography, stored in the My House of Memories app.
The app will feature real life memories and experiences from the LGBTQ+ community, which people living with dementia and their loved ones can explore, to create their own bespoke set of memories. Users can also add their own media to further personalise the app.
Through the House of Memories app, Switchboard will showcase important landmarks, social spaces, club nights and cafés, alongside drag acts, trans heroes and role models from LGBTQ+ history for users to browse.
The app will also tackle other subjects including PRIDE, queer art and film and living through the HIV/Aids epidemic.
John Hammond, bereavement, older people’s and dementia (BOLD) project manager at Switchboard, said: “This is an extremely exciting initiative and we are delighted to be funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK and to be working in partnership with House of Memories.
“Many LGBTQ+ people living with dementia share both painful and uplifting life stories and this app will capture memories and experiences that are equal parts poignant and fabulous!”
Carol Rogers, director of House of Memories, said: “Creating an app to support members of the LGBTQ+ community living with dementia and their carers, is something we’re really excited about.
“We’d like to thank Switchboard for giving us this great opportunity to collect memories from LGBTQ+ communities that will help spark conversations and improve the lives of people living with dementia.”
Switchboard and House of Memories are now in the process of bringing together memories and moments to include in the app. If you would like to contribute, email: info@switchboard.org.uk.
Discover the full story of House of Memories and download the My House of Memories app here: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/house-of-memories