1 Million Minutes: The Next Chapter of Life with Memory Matters

This December, Good Morning Britain are once again running 1 Million Minutes. In its sixth consecutive year, the campaign encourages people across the UK to volunteer their ‘minutes’ to a local organisation or charity. As this year’s campaign is following a series of rolling lockdowns and pandemic restrictions, the team at GMB are using their platform to start an honest and frank discussion around loneliness, depression and isolation.

For many, December is the most wonderful time of the year. For others however who may be living alone, the festive season can be incredibly difficult and lonely. Across the UK, volunteer groups, national organisations and local charities work tirelessly to fight social isolation at Christmas, ensuring nobody feels the effects of isolation and often giving up time with their own loved ones to brighten up somebody else’s day.

1 Million Minutes at Memory Matters

One such organisation close to our own hearts is Memory Matters. For more than a decade, the community interest company has supported people affected by dementia in Devon. Founded by two nurses who were fed up with the lack of quality dementia support, Kate Smith and Laura Walker started Memory Matters with the intention of providing meaningful support and empowering people living with dementia to live well. The ethos of the organisation is grounded in the idea that life carries on even after a dementia diagnosis. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t spell the end of a worthy and fruitful existence surrounded by loved ones, joy and life’s little pleasures. It is simply the next chapter of a novel you haven’t finished yet.

Memory Matters work tirelessly to uphold that ethos and support their community. They run support groups and cognitive stimulation therapy sessions (CST). In addition, the team also hosts training sessions for anyone looking to better support people affected by dementia in their local neighbourhood. This includes training in CST.

Connect with Loved Ones at Moments Cafe

In 2017, Memory Matters opened a community-centric cafe in central Plymouth. Branded as a social enterprise with a conscience, Moments Cafe is a safe, inclusive space. Anyone can go, relax and enjoy a cuppa. The interior of the cafe features décor, furniture and iconic imagery from different eras. In fact, it was specifically designed to stimulate one’s memory and actively encourages patrons to reminisce. Moments is a place to enjoy… well, moments. It’s a wonderful, warm place to take your loved one for a catchup and a slice of carrot cake.

This December, Priority Pixels is joining Good Morning Britain in encouraging people across the UK to donate their minutes. You could volunteer your time to a local organisation, or reach out to a loved one or neighbour.

If you’re local to Devon, why not pop into Moments Cafe? In these troubled times we live in, it’s never been more important to reach out to your loved ones and neighbours who may be feeling the weight of life on their shoulders. All proceeds from the cafe go back into Memory Matters, so you’ll also be indirectly supporting people affected by dementia in your local community. Incredible right? Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

You might even like to connect with the close-knit team at Memory Matters and volunteer. There’s always work to be done. You’ll never know how much of a difference you can make until you take the plunge and reach out.

Brighter futures start with community. Donate your minutes today.