• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

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Photographer’s Tyneside shots sparking memories for elderly residents with dementia

A PHOTOGRAPHER is helping elderly care home residents with dementia recall old memories with landscape shots of their favourite Tyneside locations.

Alec Jones, a professional photographer based in South Shields, has been visiting Willowdene Care Home, in Hebburn, with his wife Diane for several years.

On their most recent visit they brought a gift for residents, a 60×40 inch print of the Herd Groyne Lighthouse, at the mouth of the River Tyne.

The photograph has been hung in the care home’s specialist dementia suite, The Willows, where it has been bringing back fond memories for residents.

Second World War Merchant Navy veteran Jimmy Mahoney, 96, said: “I love it. It brings back beautiful memories of coming through the piers, seeing the red lighthouse and knowing I was going to see my wife after months away at sea.”

Alec said: “My wife Diane and I have been associated with Willowdene for a number of years now and have enjoyed our visits to talk to the residents and show them our photographs of the local area to re-awaken, hopefully, fond memories.

“It is our great pleasure to donate this image to the home, for the enjoyment of residents and guests alike.”

Michael Beaney, home manager at Willowdene Care Home, said: “We are so grateful to Alec and Diane for their wonderful donation. The photograph is absolutely stunning and the residents, staff and visitors all love it.

“Their visits to the home are always highly anticipated by the residents as Alec’s photos are always amazing and often bring back fond memories.

“Reminiscence activities such as looking through photographs of places they used to visit have a really positive impact on those living with dementia – helping to improve their overall mood and wellbeing.

“The lighthouse now has pride of place in our specialist dementia suite and we look forward to see Alec and Diane again soon.”