The Museum of East Dorset is inviting local knitters and crocheters to contribute handmade woollen flowers to marking Dementia Action Week (19th–25th May) with a special Forget-Me-Not display, in support of those affected by dementia.
Forget-Me-Nots are the symbol of the Alzheimer’s Society campaign, which brings people together each year to honour and remember those living with dementia. The museum is requesting crafters use the pattern here, and free wool in blue and yellow is available from its reception desk. The museum team hopes to collect hundreds of flowers to create a striking display.
Museum Director Francesca Hollow said: ‘We’d love people of all ages to take part – whether grandparents and grandchildren, school groups, or craft clubs. It’s a wonderful way to show support for those affected by dementia.’
Completed flowers should be returned by 23rd April so volunteers can assemble the display in time for Dementia Action Week.
Francesca is also happy for forget-me-knots to arrive by post (please send them to 23-29 High St, Wimborne BH21 1HR), and the team are open to fabric forget-me-knots too, if you’re a sewer not a knitter!
Dementia-Friendly Activities at the Museum
The Museum of East Dorset runs a variety of dementia-friendly programmes to support the community, including:
Reminiscence Outreach Project – Using museum artefacts to spark memories and conversation, these sessions are delivered by experienced volunteers in care homes, day centres, and senior clubs across East Dorset.
Times Gone By reminiscence sessions – Held monthly at the museum in partnership with Wimborne Library.
Jolly Days at the Museum – Run by In Jolly Good Company, these engaging sessions focus on music, crafts, and gardening to improve mental and physical wellbeing.
Craft and Chat on the third Monday of the month – A relaxed, social crafting session where visitors can bring their own project, try new crafts, and enjoy a friendly natter.
The museum also provides dementia-friendly crockery in its garden café, along with fidget accessories to help visitors feel more comfortable.
The Museum of East Dorset is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. For more information about dementia-friendly activities, visit museumofeastdorset.co.uk.
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