We’re putting together something special to support our allied health students while they’re on placement at Uniting aged care facilities in our region and we’d love your help.
Currently our students use printed pictures and music to connect with residents living with dementia. But we know from research (and experience) that adding touch, smell and sound can make those moments even more meaningful. That’s why we’re creating a Reminiscence Kit, a collection of small, sensory items that spark memories, stories and conversation.
Our clinical educators will guide our occupational therapy and speech therapy students students to use the kit during weekly group sessions, especially with residents who find it hard to join in traditional activities like bingo. The goal is to build connection, support cognitive and language stimulation, and help students develop strong, person-centred skills.
We’re looking for items from the 1940s to 1970s that are safe, tactile and easy to carry. Think old recipe cards, costume jewellery, shaving brushes, postcards, marbles, scarves, radios, and anything that might remind someone of a moment in time. If it would spark a story with your parents or grandparents, it’s probably perfect.
Here’s a quick list of what we’re after:
- Music & Audio: CDs, records, harmonicas, old radios
- Photos & Visuals: magazines, postcards, vintage ads
- Clothing & Accessories: gloves, hats, brooches, scarves
- Smell & Touch: lavender sachets, soaps, perfume bottles
- Kitchen & Household: rolling pins, enamelware, recipe cards
- Toys & Games: marbles, yo-yos, playing cards
- Books & Papers: letters, ration cards, travel tickets
- Work & Daily Life: office stamps, typewriter keys
- Cultural & Spiritual: prayer cards, songbooks, decorations
If you’ve got something tucked away in a drawer or box that you’re happy to part with, we’d love to give it a new life in our kit. Every item will help students connect with residents in a deeper, more personal way, and make a real difference in aged care.
To donate or learn more, please get in touch with us by calling 1300 965 800 or emailing ucrh.alliedhealth.admin@sydney.edu.au.
Photographed above: Clinical educators Sally Howard and Sarah Crook discuss the Reminiscence Kit with University of Sydney final year occupational therapy students Joanna Won and Cooper Walker-O’Loughlan.
