Voices of Care Shape EU Memorable Project: DCU Captures Powerful Insights from Irish Professionals and Carers
Dublin City University’s (DCU) work on the EU-funded Memorable Project has entered a powerful phase. Interviews with professionals and family caregivers across Ireland shed light on the realities, challenges, and hopes surrounding dementia care. These voices are shaping Ireland’s national report and informing the co-creation of a new, European training tool to broaden cultural access for people with dementia.
The response from participants— researchers, nursing home staff, activity coordinators, voluntary sector leaders, and family members—has been strikingly enthusiastic. Each interview has offered deeply personal insights and practical suggestions to improve the accessibility of the arts and culture to those living with dementia.
“The level of passion and dedication we’ve seen in these conversations has been both moving and energising,” said Dr. O'Kelly, DCU lead for the Memorable Project. “We’re hearing how creative engagement can transform daily life for people with dementia — and that’s exactly what this project aims to amplify.”
A central goal of the Memorable Project is to develop a free, accessible training tool for use across Europe. This resource will equip care professionals, cultural facilitators, and families with the knowledge and confidence to connect people with dementia to meaningful cultural opportunities, particularly in the arts.
Irish interviewees frequently cited examples of good practice already making a difference, such as the AZURE Programme, which partners with galleries and museums to offer dementia-inclusive experiences, and The Forget Me Nots Choir, which enables people with dementia and their carers to connect through the power of music and song.
These programmes underscore a core belief at the heart of Memorable: that cultural participation is not a luxury but a right and a powerful means of connection, identity, and well-being for people affected by dementia.
The interviews will feed directly into Ireland’s national report and shape the content of the European training tool, ensuring it reflects real-world insights and needs. DCU’s role is vital in ensuring that Irish voices — professional and personal — lead the way in creating a more inclusive, compassionate, and culturally rich Europe for people with memory loss.
For more information on the project visit https://memorable-project.eu/