How museums in Wales are making a difference for people with dementia

Museums have long been places of storytelling, memory, and connection. But how can they serve those whose memories are fading? Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales is answering this question with its pioneering Museums Inspiring Memories project, a three-year initiative that places the voices of people affected by dementia at the heart of its work.

This initiative, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, is reshaping how museums engage with individuals living with dementia, their carers, and the wider community. By embedding dementia-friendly practices across its seven national museums, Amgueddfa Cymru is demonstrating the profound role that cultural institutions can play in enhancing health and wellbeing.

At the Museums, Health & Well-Being Summit 2025, Gareth Rees and Sharon Ford from Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales shared their work.

Building Dementia-Friendly Museums

Amgueddfa Cymru began its journey towards greater dementia accessibility over a decade ago, recognising that museums could do more to welcome, include, and engage people affected by dementia. One of the first steps was conducting site audits, inviting people with dementia to visit the museums and provide feedback on what would improve their experience.

Big Pit National Coal Museum, Wales

This led to the establishment of a Dementia Engagement Panel, a group of individuals with lived experience who advise on museum programming and accessibility. One of the panel members, Nigel Huller, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2015, highlighted the importance of authentic engagement:

“There are people who say they co-produce, but very few do it like the team at Amgueddfa Cymru. They truly listen, and the changes they make reflect our voices.”

Developing Meaningful Museum Experiences

The Museums Inspiring Memories project is underpinned by the belief that cultural spaces are powerful wellbeing assets. As part of this initiative, Amgueddfa Cymru has developed a range of dementia-friendly activities across its sites, including:

• Seasonal wellbeing walks at St Fagans National Museum of History
• Tea dances at the National Waterfront Museum
• Dementia-friendly underground tours at Big Pit National Coal Museum

By adapting programming and ensuring that the physical environment is accessible, museums can create welcoming spaces that foster comfort and engagement for people living with dementia.

The Memory Jar group visiting the Life Is… and Wales Is…galleries at St Fagans National Museum of History, August 2023

Training and Support for Museum Staff and Carers

A key challenge in making museums dementia-friendly is ensuring that both staff and carers feel confident in supporting visitors with dementia.

To address this, Amgueddfa Cymru developed:

Supporters’ Package for Carers

Designed for family members, volunteers, and professional carers, this package provides guidance on how to use museum resources effectively. Many carers reported feeling unsure about whether museums were suitable places for people with dementia. By offering detailed information on transport, accessibility, and visitor facilities, the initiative is breaking down these barriers.

Training for Museum Staff

A two-hour training package was developed to upskill museum staff and volunteers, equipping them with the knowledge to provide meaningful experiences for visitors with dementia. This training, co-designed with individuals living with dementia, incorporates real-life video testimonials and practical strategies for inclusive engagement.

Since launching the program, Amgueddfa Cymru has:

– Trained staff across all seven museums
– Developed external resources for the wider heritage sector
– Provided all trainees with a Forget-Me-Not badge, a symbol of their commitment to dementia-friendly practices

Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead

While the project has seen significant success, challenges remain. Transport accessibility has been a major barrier, as many individuals living with dementia struggle to reach museums. In response, Amgueddfa Cymru included funding for community transport in its project plan, ensuring that logistics do not prevent participation.

Additionally, sustaining dementia-friendly programs beyond the project’s end in September 2025 is a key priority. To achieve this, the museum is integrating dementia-friendly elements into regular programming, ensuring that these initiatives continue long-term without additional strain on resources.

A Model for the Sector

The Museums Inspiring Memories project offers valuable insights for cultural institutions looking to expand their accessibility and impact. By embedding co-production, staff training, and inclusive programming, museums can become vital spaces for people affected by dementia.

As the sector looks towards the future, projects like this highlight how museums can evolve to meet the needs of diverse audiences while maintaining their role as places of discovery, learning, and connection.

For museums interested in adopting similar initiatives, Amgueddfa Cymru encourages sector-wide collaboration and knowledge-sharing. The legacy of Museums Inspiring Memories will not only be in its impact on individuals living with dementia but in its ability to inspire change across the heritage sector.

–

Gareth Rees and Sharon Ford from Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales shared their work at the Museums, Health & Well-Being Summit 2025.