A new nationwide storytelling initiative designed to help preserve people's memories and voices has launched in Nantwich, with its very first workshop held at a local dementia-friendly group that helped inspire the idea.

Memory Makers, a new social-purpose organisation founded by Cheshire-based creative, Gareth Williams, is characterised by its combination of a simple, dementia-friendly app and a clear storytelling framework helping care teams record meaningful conversations using guided prompts, video, audio and photos.

The new initiative was officially launched on Thursday 29 January at The Thursday Group, a dementia-friendly community group based in Nantwich.

More than 25 members gathered at St Mary's Hall to take part in the first-ever Memory Makers workshop, where stories, moments and memories were shared and recorded using the new Memory Makers app.

These became the first memories captured as part of the organisation's long-term goal to preserve one million memories.

The Thursday Group was formed post-Covid by Dawn Clark and Lynn Lurcock, with a focus on connection, creativity and community for people caring for and living with dementia.

Gareth has worked with the group for several years on creative projects, including poetry workshops, and says those sessions were the original inspiration behind Memory Makers.

Born and bred in Crewe, Gareth's background is in a unique form of bespoke poetry known as Rhymeology, writing and performing commissioned poems, capturing the emotion and essence of people and organisations.

His work has included projects for the NHS, HS2 and Avanti West Coast, as well as 'Track Our Veins', a 20-metre poetry mural at Crewe Railway Station.

Gareth told Nub News: "When care teams and community groups start using Memory Makers, the reaction is often the same, it feels human. Not clinical or complicated, just something that fits into the reality of everyday life.

"It helps people show who they really are, not just what support they need, and makes priceless stories last forever and memories easier to share with families.

"As one care leader said to us early on, 'This isn't documentation - it's legacy.'

"As a social-purpose organisation, our approach is simple; listen first, move gently, and build something that genuinely works for people in real settings and we are so excited to see the impact to the users and their families.

"Memory Makers was inspired directly by the wonderful 'Thursday Group' and so we couldn't think of a better place to launch it, in the very room and with the very people that inspired its creation. We've had a fantastic day."

Following the Nantwich launch, Memory Makers will begin piloting the framework with care homes across the UK, while continuing to work closely with community groups as it develops.

Co-founder of The Thursday Group and non-executive advisor to Memory Makers, Cllr Dawn Clark, said: "Seeing our members take part in the first Memory Makers workshop was incredibly special.

"We laughed, we danced and we relived moments that in some cases hadn't been shared or talked about in decades.

"Seeing it first-hand, I feel more confident than ever that the Memory Makers app and framework has the potential to have a huge impact, while spreading immeasurable and lifelong joy for its users and their families.

"We're absolutely delighted to have been not only the inspiration but the official launch pad for such a special initiative and can't wait to see it grow."

For more information about Memory Makers, visit HERE.

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