Every life holds a story worth keeping
Memoirs and Memories is a facilitated writing program that helps seniors and caregivers put their memories on the page, and ends with their names printed on the cover of a real book.
What happens in the room
Participants gather weekly. A facilitator opens with a prompt, and the writing begins. Some weeks it is a childhood kitchen. Some weeks it is the day they arrived in this country. Some weeks it is harder than that.
Nobody needs writing experience. Nobody is corrected. Participants who prefer to speak rather than write are supported to do so. By the final session, each participant has contributed up to five thousand words toward a professionally published anthology.
What participants receive
A printed participant handbook designed for readability, including large clear type for readers with low vision
Weekly facilitated sessions
Editorial support on their own writing
A professionally published anthology with their name on the cover
A completion certificate
Program formats
Six week format.
An introduction to legacy writing. Ideal for a first cohort or a trial term.
Twelve week format
- The full program. Deeper writing, more material, a substantial finished anthology.
For senior care and hospice partners
Memoirs and Memories addresses several priorities at once. It supports cognitive engagement, reduces social isolation, provides meaningful legacy work for palliative and end of life clients, and produces a tangible artifact families keep. It is documented for your reporting requirements and delivered by a trained facilitator.
Canadians aged sixty five and over are the fastest growing age group in the country. Demand for meaningful, dignified programming is growing with it.
Where it runs
Currently delivered at Villa Charities. Available to senior centres, hospice organisations, retirement residences, long term care homes, community centres and caregiver support organisations.