It was our first time using this activity and it was chosen to see if it would encourage the guests to share stories and memories, to stimulate their creativeness and, most importantly, to give them a sense of achievement (they built the frames themselves as well as decorating inside the boxes).
What a result - the table buzzed as people chatted about places they grew up in or had visited, their interest in wildlife, plants, growing things, pets etc and, for some guests, how long it had been since they'd used wood and carpentry skills!
It was such a lovely afternoon; we even ran over time and into their tea/coffee and cake break.........and no-one mentioned it; not one complaint. They were too busy chatting and finishing off their displays.
I've been thinking about the activity since. I admit I didn't know why they were called Shadow Boxes. Wikipedia provided an explanation
A shadow box is an enclosed glass-front case containing an object or objects presented in a thematic grouping with artistic or personal significance.
Typically given to people in military service, on retirement, they contained awards and medals that the person had achieved during their career.
It's pleasing to think that they have now been used to display items that help people living with Dementia to connect to the world around them and that, in building them, they have awarded themselves with a sense of achievement.
Wendy
Creative Spaces Project Manager
