Making Memories Matters – Enhancing Patient Experience Through Keepsakes

For patients and families facing a palliative diagnosis, creating and preserving memories is a powerful source of comfort and connection at a difficult time.

Developed by our dedicated FACE volunteers, “Making Memories Matters” supports patients and their loved ones at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre as they navigate an incredibly challenging journey. At its heart lies the gentle act of creating and sharing memories, opening up opportunities to engage in meaningful keepsake activities that provide a positive way to remember when grief softens. These keepsakes become precious, lasting gifts that can be treasured forever, helping individuals both collect new memories as well as reminisce over past ones.

Families can choose from a range of activities tailored to their needs, including:

Crafting equipment for hand or finger imprints: Creating lasting physical reminders of connection.
Prompt cards to spark memories: Facilitating conversations and reminiscence through guided prompts like “remember when…” and “my favourite place…”.
Crocheted heart exchange: Providing a symbol of connection and comfort for both the patient and their loved one.
Polaroid photographs: Capturing precious moments and encouraging the documentation of stories and memories. Details can be written on the photograph, or this can be done with existing photographs.)
Sunflower seed packets: Offering a symbolic gesture of remembrance and growth.

Recognising the unique needs of children and young people, the team also provides:

Books: Aiding conversations about illness and loss in an age-appropriate manner.
Soft toy exchange: Offering comfort and a sense of connection through symbolic toy exchanges. The big toy represents the adult and the small toy represents the child or young person. Adults keep the small toy and the child or young person keeps the large toy to provide a source of comfort and a feeling of connectedness, even in separation.

Morag Moore, Clinical Nurse Manager at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, explains:

These special boxes are filled with helpful and meaningful resources that patients and their loved ones can use during a difficult time. We’re very grateful to our supporters for making these available to create special memories.”

The “Making Memories Matter” initiative demonstrates the profound impact of providing opportunities for memory-making and connection in palliative care. Donations from generous supporters have been instrumental in bringing this programme to life, enabling patients and their families to create lasting keepsakes and find comfort during challenging times. This initiative highlights the importance of holistic care, addressing both physical needs and the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of patients and their loved ones.