Memories Scotland is the latest development of a long-running programme which started life as Football Memories Scotland, a partnership between the Scottish Football Museum and Alzheimer Scotland. 

The new phase of the project, funded by the Scottish Government via the Scottish Library and Information Council, will see the creation of “Memory Groups” in library venues across the country. These groups will bring people together on a regular basis to share conversation and company. 

Like its predecessor Football Memories, the new libraries project will use old images and other materials to spark conversation among Memory Group participants. 

Going beyond the original focus on sports, the new groups will access Scottish Libraries’ local studies collections via the Memories Scotland archive and participants will be encouraged to recall wider social history themes, spanning working life and social life. 

While the new groups remain dementia-friendly, they will be open to all – and keen to engage a wider audience.

Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government is keen to champion initiatives like this that have proved to be so successful in tackling social isolation and loneliness and make a real difference to the people in our communities.

“This is why I’m pleased that Memories Scotland has received the largest grant to date through our Public Library Improvement Fund which we set up to support a range of innovative library projects.

“Our memories are important to us, especially as we get older, and I’m pleased so see that these dementia-friendly groups will also benefit a much wider audience.”

 

Project chair, Alison McAllister of North Ayrshire Libraries, added: “In the wake of Covid lockdowns, this project has huge potential for rebuilding local connections and improving wellbeing. Libraries are accessible, welcoming spaces within the local community – making them ideal for this kind of informal group reminiscence activity.  Through the act of sharing memories, people from all walks of life are brought together.

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture General Manager, Kay Morrison, explained the partnership approach to the project. She said: “We are really delighted to be hosting the Memories Scotland project launch at Rutherglen Library, a key venue within our service, but South Lanarkshire is just one of 24 regions involved in the project so far. 

"This means more people will have access to the new Memory Groups which are set to be rolled out across much of Scotland in the coming months in an exciting development for Scottish Libraries. Each region will approach the project slightly differently, ensuring their approach is locally meaningful and appealing. 

“Similarly, every participant will have their own reasons for coming along.  Some may join to meet new people, to improve their mood, to share their local history interest or simply to get out and about for a couple of hours. That’s the beauty of Memories Scotland: it combines the benefits of a networked partnership project with a flexibility to meet local and individual needs.”

Robert Craig of the Scottish Football Museum said: “We knew we were onto something really exciting with Football Memories Scotland, so I’m delighted that the plans to extend the project into libraries have culminated in today’s formal launch.

“I’m delighted we have Scottish Government support and look forward to watching Memories Scotland grow and develop in the coming months.”