Training

Training and Learning

We provide high quality training in the field of Reminiscence Arts practice in the community, independent living schemes, extra care schemes, libraries and museums. We draw on best practice, research and 30 years of  experience. Previous customers have included South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, St Thomas’ Hospital, L&Q Housing, Combat Stress, Leonard Cheshire and cultural engine.

Training opportunities cover

  1. Interviewing techniques for heritage and reminiscence projects
  2. How to run a Reminiscence group
  3. How to make your own reminiscence resources
  4. Reminiscence and intergenerational theatre
  5. Best practice for interviewing older people with wartime memories

We have developed a unique and creative dementia care training programme in Reminiscence Arts methodology for staff teams and dementia care service providers – the provision of independently assessed unique dementia intervention using Reminiscence Arts practice.

If you or your organisation are interested in discussing your learning requirements and how Age Exchange can help please email training@age-exchange.org.uk

Consultancy Services

Our services include:

  • Improving engagement and person centred care for people with dementia through reminiscence and the arts
  • Reminiscence projects to preserve heritage
  • Intergenerational projects to support communities in regeneration schemes
  • Creating communities in extra care schemes
  • Interventions to improve the wellbeing of people with dementia
  • Training programmes to improve communication with older people especially those with dementia and to develop skills and knowledge in reminiscence and intergenerational work
  • Working with museums, libraries and archives to develop reminiscence skills to improve audience engagement


Learning from loss

Learning from Loss is a free 10- week support group for anyone who has been bereaved, at least 4-6 months prior to attending the sessions.

Wednesdays, 2-4pm

The Studio
Age Exchange
11 Blackheath Village
London SE3 9LA 

Sessions will commence in the autumn. 

Download flyer

How to attend 

  • You can self-refer by speaking to Lydia at Age Exchange
  • You can refer a friend or family member, provided we have their consent to contact them
  • You can refer a patient or client, provided we have their consent to contact them

To book your free place or talk about the group please contact Lydia on 020 8318 9105 or email lydia.thurgar@age-exchange.org.uk 

The sessions are led by Lydia Thurgar, an Occupational Therapist who has worked in the NHS and charity sector, currently for Age Exchange. They will provide a warm and welcoming environment. Light refreshments will be provided. 

How to use reminiscence in telephone support sessions

During the pandemic more and more people are providing support to vulnerable people over the phone.  This two hour virtual course aims to give participants some knowledge and skills in conducting telephone reminiscence sessions helping to build their confidence in using reminiscence techniques.

The course covers

  • The principles of reminiscence
  • The benefits of using reminiscence to improve well-being and self-esteem
  • Identifying topics and methods to stimulate conversation and memory over the phone
  • Questioning techniques to get maximum response
  • The challenges of conducting reminiscence sessions through telephone sessions

£40 per participant
Contact us if you are interested in this training

Using reminiscence as a tool in a virtual environment

In response to lockdown conditions many organisations have transferred face to face group sessions to digital platforms such as zoom.  This two hour virtual course aims to give participants the knowledge and skills in conducting virtual reminiscence sessions helping to build their confidence in using reminiscence techniques in a virtual environment.

The course covers

  • The principles of reminiscence
  • The benefits of using reminiscence to improve health and wellbeing
  • Identifying topics and methods to stimulate conversation and memory
  • Questioning techniques to gain maximum engagement
  • The challenges of conducting reminiscence sessions through digital sessions

£40 per participant
Contact us if you are interested in this training

About the trainer

Zoe Gilmour is a London-based trainer with a varied arts practice which includes a decade of reminiscence arts delivery and training for Age Exchange. Zoe’s speciality is working with people with cognitive impairments or communication difficulties, including those living with all stages of dementia.

Most recently she designed several reminiscence arts projects for the popular Age Exchange activity boxes, following a year of on-ward training and co-development of activity resources for South London and Maudsley NHS staff with Age Exchange colleague Melanie Jones.

Since the onset of the pandemic she has focused on developing a variety of remote working practices, including finding ways to connect with those who do not have access to current technology.

In addition to her Age Exchange work, since March 2020 she has workshopped with guides at the Victoria and Albert Museum for Resonate Arts, designed sensory boxes for wards in Lewisham and Greenwich Hospital Trust, managed the Remote Clusters programme for Entelechy Arts / Meet Me at the Albany and found ways to maintain ongoing contact with ‘hard-to-reach’ older participants in Trinity Laban Conservatoire’s Inspired not Tired programme.