In summer 2024, we were approached by members of St Mary’s Church Heritage Team in Bloxham, who were keen to introduce reminiscence activities as part of their newly refurbished community space.
In summer 2024, we were approached by members of St Mary’s Church Heritage Team in Bloxham, who were keen to introduce reminiscence activities as part of their newly refurbished community space.
Working in partnership with the church heritage team and Bloxham Village Museum, we developed a three-session pilot programme in autumn 2024. These sessions explored themes such as “First home I remember,” “Sales to your door,” and “Transport – how we got about.” Participants shared personal stories, sparking lively conversations and meaningful connections. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the value of creating space for people to reflect and share.
Building on this success, funding was secured to expand the programme into a year-long series of ten sessions in 2025. A key part of this next phase was bringing in a local volunteer, Janis Sorrell, who first joined as a participant. After observing a session at the museum, she became an integral part of the team delivering the Bloxham reminiscence group.
By the end of the project, a new, sustainable community group had been established, now led by a dedicated local team committed to continuing these sessions into the future. We’re proud to continue offering support as needed.
The impact of the project can also now be experienced at Bloxham Village Museum, where a new listening corner features audio clips from the sessions—ensuring these shared memories are preserved and accessible for others to enjoy.
This project is a wonderful reminder of how powerful storytelling can be in bringing communities together and celebrating local heritage.
If you would like to join them or find out more, you can contact Janis Sorrell: Reminiscence Group Leader at bloxhamreminiscence26@gmail.com
If you are part of a community or group that would like to explore setting up reminiscence sessions, we have an amazing toolkit put together by our Reminiscence Team which offers help and guidance. You can find it here