The Memories of Yemen digital heritage collection, launched in 2022 as part of the House of Memories dementia awareness programme led by National Museums Liverpool (NML) with funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund Innovation and Engagement scheme, provides a vivid example of the power of conversation, co-creation and community in the development of responsive dementia care activities and interventions. Inspired by a conversation between NML and a young person from Liverpool’s Yemeni community, who was looking for resources to support the care of his Grandmother who is living with dementia, the project supported the city’s Yemeni community to co-curate the dual-language (English and Arabic) Memories of Yemen collection in close collaboration with NML and community organisations including the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre, Liverpool Arabic Centre, Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival, the Al-Ghazali Centre, Al-Taiseer Mosque and The Studio School.
Together, project participants also co-produced a toolkit for UK museums working and supporting young people, which was published online by NML in November 2022, including a downloadable PDF guide and accompanying video series, complementing the Memories of Yemen digital collection available via the My House of Memories app, and other resources including the Yemeni House of Memories suitcase. The value of museum collections and resources in connecting and supporting ageing populations and people living with dementia in multi-cultural contexts and communities has been actively promoted throughout, with a particular emphasis on the value of heritage projects in developing a mutual understanding of and respect for care practices and values in different communities. Kerry Wilson led the formative evaluation of the project – read the full report here.