ELDERLY residents at Orchid Care Home created priceless keepsakes by recording themselves discussing their fondest memories and experiences.

Each participant spent a morning talking about their lives and their discussions were put onto a CD which they then received.

The Orbital Shopping Centre has supported this scheme to help the team there become Dementia Friends.

To date, seven members of staff at Orbital have attended Dementia Friends information sessions which aim to provide a greater understanding of the impact of living with dementia.

Orbital is one of ten shopping centres to take part in this project in partnership with Bauer Academy.

Jamie Turner, centre manager at Orbital, said: “Dementia is a condition that affects many people across the community.

“We want all our shoppers to have an enjoyable experience, which is why we are committed to supporting the Dementia Friends programme.

“We’re proud that many of our colleagues wear a forget-me-not flower badge which means that they’re equipped with the skills they need to support our shoppers with dementia and make sure that they - and their carers, family and friends - have an enjoyable experience at our centre.”

Claire Jenkins from the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It’s fantastic that the team from Orbital and residents of Orchid Care home have united against dementia by documenting memories of people affected by the condition.

"It is a fantastic way to engage with the local community and it’s a perfect way to mark Dementia Action Week.