ABSTRACT
Since 2019, Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) has developed to become a more useful, relevant, and inclusive resource for communities living with dementia by working to build relationships through trust and transfer of ownership. This chapter discusses two projects that developed memory resources for people living with dementia inspired by RMG’s collection. Both projects showcase the journey taken by the Engagement Department and community partners to move from an engagement method based on consultation towards one that centred co-production and community leading.
In 2020, All Aboard was initiated in response to the global pandemic and the increased isolation experienced by people living with dementia and their carers. In 2021, Memories of the Caribbean was developed in partnership with a community group supporting Caribbean elders. During the course of these projects, the project teams altered approaches, transferred power, and centred the community as the project lead. Lived experience was recognised as central and this led to RMG taking on the role of service provider, facilitating the vision and needs of the partners to develop meaningful memory boxes.
This journey represented a shift in RMG’s way of working, impacting the way the organisation partners with communities, broadening access, and increasing community ownership.
