Planting memories

Our 'decorated bulb pots' activity is proving very popular at the moment.  We recently ran this activity with 2 memory cafes; Truro and St. Austell.

Cafe members were given a small plastic plant pot each, or between two if they wanted to work in pairs.  The pots were sprayed with a light colour beforehand (around autumn/winter we use gold and silver), using car paint.  People then painted a memory, associated with being outdoors, on to their pot.  These memories can be of anything outdoor-related; not necessarily linked to a garden. The aim is to use the outdoors to stimulate conversation and a connection, or re-connection, between people and between people and places. For example, a carer once painted her pot with the memory of her winter wedding which brought back wonderful memories of the snow and the sound of bells, whilst a member of the St. Ives Memory Cafe recently represented a time she was on the river in a boat with her father which sparked a conversation about her father and family.

Images and textures are also used alongside paint to represent people and places.  If people are not confident to paint they often begin by sticking images on the pots.......more often than not, this leads to filling in the gaps with painted images or decorative "sparkly bits".

Once the pots were decorated and had been left to dry for a while, the bulbs were then planted and the memory written onto a 'sensory flag' and placed in the pot. The text helps to maintain a connection between the individual and their memory until the bulb begins to grow, at which point it takes over that role and becomes a link between someone, their memories and outdoors. It may even be used to encourage someone outdoors if it is eventually planted out in the garden.

photo by Tammy McDermott

People have so much fun doing this activity; even those who begin the session with an anxious "But I can't paint!".  After some reassurance that we're not looking for the next Van Gogh, that nothing is being judged and that the pots they are creating are theirs to take home it's not long before there's a buzz around the table and conversation flows along the lines of "Anyone got any brown?" and "Ooh, I like yours! that's a great bird you've painted!"

Even I brought home a gift from the Truro Memory Cafe. One gentleman heard that the group would be doing an outdoor-related activity and had brought in a bag of outdoor items he'd made from broken pallets.  His skill in woodworking was very obvious as he showed off the various items which included a small soil sifter.  When I asked him if I could have the instructions he proudly handed it to me and said "Have this one my dear".  I was delighted with my gift and have already used it at home to sift my compost ready for seed planting.