All aboard for a morning of railway memories

People with dementia will get the chance to unlock memories from Swindon’s industrial railway past on Friday (22 March).

The STEAM Museum will play host to people living with dementia and their carers as a special event will be held as part of a wider campaign to improve the lives of dementia sufferers in Swindon.

The sell-out inaugural Dementia Friendly day, sponsored by the Friends of Swindon Railway Museum, has been a joint collaboration between Swindon Borough Council, STEAM Museum and the Friends of the Museum, with more than 50 people already signed up to take part.

The guests will be treated to a special quiz, a tour of the museum and a session in which they can share memories and enjoy refreshments.

Councillor Brian Ford, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “The STEAM Museum’s unique historic surroundings are full of memories for many people who worked, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway, and it will be great to share these memories with people living with dementia and their families.”

The success of the campaign has already led to Swindon being recognised nationally in the final three Dementia Friendly Towns category at the prestigious Alzheimer’s Society National Dementia Friendly Community Awards in London at the end of 2018.

Steve Gregory, Trustee of The Friends of Swindon Railway Museum, said: “We are happy to be funding this inaugural event and providing volunteer guides to show attendees around the museum.

“Giving people with dementia the chance to enjoy everything the STEAM Museum has to offer, and the chance to share memories, is directly linked to the aims of our Friends of Swindon Railway Museum organisation. We hope everyone involved will have an enjoyable morning.”