European Reminiscence Network Conference 2025

22 Sept

Walking into the European Reminiscence Network Conference this year, I felt both excitement and nerves. This gathering brings together practitioners, researchers, and people with lived experience from across Europe - all united by a belief in the power of creative reminiscence. To be part of that community, and to be presenting on the work of Remembering Yesterday, Caring Today (RYCT), was a real milestone for me.

Holding the Story: Balancing Personal Voice and Shared History in Creative Reminiscence

My presentation, “Holding the Story: Balancing Personal Voice and Shared History in Creative Reminiscence,” shared learning from the RYCT programme. I spoke about the benefits and challenges to two approaches:

the original model, which works with couples (a person living with dementia and their care partner) to explore shared and individual biographical memories
an emerging approach, where people living with dementia take part individually, supported by volunteers

The original model emphasises collaborative storytelling, strengthening relationships and identity as a couple. The new solo approach, which I trialed alongside practitioner Janet Costley, required something different. It began with only fragments of information and the need to build one-to-one trust through active listening, observation, and personalised creative prompts. In these sessions, the focus often shifted away from verbal memory towards gestures and emotions. Both models have enormous value, but they call for different skills and sensitivities.

To bring the emerging approach to life, I shared two case studies:

‘Michael’, a person living with dementia with no next of kin, who began with just a passing remark about a high street in London, which gradually unfolded into a rich 9-page life story that spanned a childhood during Blitz, working life, and even languages from his national service.
‘Gloria’, a person living with dementia who carried the heavy grief of losing a significant loved one, found space to share and reshape her story in ways that might not have been possible had her care partner been present.

Both journeys showed how creative reminiscence is less about perfect accuracy and more about personal meaning, connection, and identity.

Personal Reflections

One of the things I loved about the conference was the variety of perspectives. I heard incredible presentations on intergenerational projects, choirs, new creative therapies, digital innovations and deeply moving accounts from family carers. There was a strong sense that reminiscence isn’t only about looking backwards but about using the past to build bridges to the present. Remembering yesterday but living today.

Beyond the formal sessions, it was the conversations over tea and in corridors that stayed with me: swapping ideas, hearing about challenges in different countries, and realising that many of us are asking the same questions. How do we make creative reminiscence work accessible to everyone? How do we embed it in health care settings where time and resources are stretched? How do we ensure that dignity and human rights remain at the centre?

Presenting was nerve-wracking, but it also felt affirming, a chance to share what matters to me and to contribute to a wider movement. I came away feeling inspired, connected, and eager to carry these ideas forward into my practice.

A huge thank you to the team at the Czech Reminiscence Centre for being such welcoming hosts and organising not just a brilliant conference but delicious meals, local tours and music!