Living history

Living History is a joint initiative between Community Connections and Bupa Care Services. Individual care homes and their residents complete a project around the theme of reminiscence.

Reminiscence is a way for our staff to appreciate and recognise the individuality of our residents and be reminded that they are people with a long personal and social past. Through reminiscence, our employees are able to relate to the residents they look after on a day-to-day basis and discover their life experiences and personal strengths. Knowing something about our residents' past achievements, their family or even their likes and dislikes helps our staff to provide better care and form personal bonds with them.

Since it was launched in 2004, 64 Bupa care homes have taken part in various Living History projects and even more are set to follow in the coming years.

Past Living History projects include books of memories, reminiscence areas and memory murals. Each Bupa care home is asked to involve at least one community partner in the activity, in order to build stronger relationships with the local community and is given a grant of £500 to spend on materials.