Devon resident Brian Norris has recently been recognized by the national charitable organization Points of Light for his creation of Living Memories Online, a reminiscence streaming platform that offers a vast library of 20th-century archive programmes. This innovative service has been instrumental in reducing isolation and improving the well-being of older adults, particularly those living with dementia, throughout the UK.
Norris is one of the latest recipients of the Points of Light Award, which acknowledges exceptional individuals who are making a significant impact in their communities and inspiring others to do the same. Each day, the organization, headquartered at 10 Downing Street, selects a volunteer to receive the award in recognition of their achievements.
In a personal letter, Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Norris for his dedication and initiative in creating the Living Memories Online platform. He commended Norris for bringing the therapeutic benefits of reminiscence to older people across the UK, including those with dementia. Johnson also recognized Norris for his establishment of Tea & Memories community groups and home visits, which have effectively addressed the issue of isolation among older individuals.
Norris expressed his surprise and gratitude upon receiving the award, stating that it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of his team at Living Memories CIC, including his fellow director Paul Boult. He hopes that this recognition will inspire more individuals to volunteer and share memories with the older generation.
The daily Points of Light award celebrates exceptional volunteers who are making a positive impact in their communities, serving as a source of inspiration for others to create innovative solutions to social challenges.
Norris has been a volunteer in his community for over 60 years, but his journey with reminiscence began ten years ago when he and his wife Leonore started showing archive films in care homes in Cornwall and Devon. Witnessing the powerful impact these films had on stimulating memories and encouraging communication, especially for those with dementia, Norris recognized the need to make reminiscence more accessible.
This led to the establishment of Living Memories CIC, a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to creating reminiscence resources and services using archive newsreels and documentaries from the early to mid-20th century. The organization’s flagship service, Living Memories Online, is an online streaming platform that offers subscribers access to over 2,800 archive films, designed to be user-friendly for individuals with dementia and easily accessible on multiple devices. The platform has seen a surge in popularity since the pandemic, as more older individuals have become isolated and in need of such resources.
In addition to Living Memories Online, Norris and his team have developed a range of other innovative services, which have been recognized with several awards. These include DVDs with printed Reminiscence Guides, available online for one-on-one or group reminiscence sessions, Tea & Memories Groups, where older individuals come together for tea, vintage film screenings, and discussions about memories, and Tea & Memories @ Home, which provides digital tablets and trained volunteer “Memory Buddies” to share Living Memories Online with older people in their own homes, often in collaboration with NHS Social Prescribers.
Living Memories is a prime example of the impact one person’s idea can have. What started as a community project in Devon has now grown into a non-profit service benefiting older individuals and those with dementia across the UK. Norris and his team of volunteers are not only preserving history through archive films, but also preserving personal histories by unlocking forgotten memories and encouraging individuals to share their stories.
Modeled after the US National Award program, created by President George W. Bush in 1990, the UK’s daily Points of Light Award was launched in April 2014 by Prime Minister David Cameron to recognize individuals who are making a difference in their local communities. Norris is the 2068th person to be recognized with this prestigious award.
**Distributed by Pressat.co.uk**
