Age Exchange is honoured to have been chosen by
Royal Observatory Greenwich to be its specialist dementia partner charity. This follows the announcement of a £77 million capital project to transform the Royal Observatory.
Royal Observatory Greenwich will be working with Age Exchange over the next two years to develop the Royal Observatory’s public programme for people living with dementia. This will include working with its team to identify items from within its world-famous collection that relate to the themes of time and space and the link between the seasons and the universe (rooted in Earth’s position, tilt, and motion relative to the Sun). Together Age Exchange and Royal Observatory Greenwich will use creative reminiscence techniques to develop a handling collection for people living with dementia and their carers, enabling participants to enjoy the beauty of the universe, using the collection to reflect on their own lives, the journeys they have made, both physical and emotional. In line with Age Exchange’s commitment to inclusion and co-design, the collection will be developed, tried and tested through working with 12 care homes & day care centres. Everything created through this project and the many activities that run alongside it, is designed to support the well-being of those living with dementia and their carer, and to enhance their self-esteem, resilience and positive life review. Age Exchange will also be an active member on forums and advisory boards set up by Royal Observatory Greenwich to support its wider offer for people over 65 who access and experience the Royal Observatory.
This exciting collaboration with the world-famous Royal Observatory Greenwich is important in helping it deliver on Age Exchange’s own strategic priorities including to:
Develop new and innovative programmes for older people living with dementia
Build new collaborations with across arts and cultural sectors
Position Age Exchange as a national leader and influencer in arts and social care
The resources and the programme developed through this unique project with Royal Observatory Greenwich will have measurable benefit to people living with dementia nationally. Everything that is learned through “First Light” will be shared nationally, supporting people living with dementia across the UK, exemplifying Age Exchange’s vision of creativity, culture and community as catalysts for better lives.
