Cuddly toys, photographs of grandparents and sports trophies were among the treasured items children placed in special ‘memory boxes’ designed to help them gain a better understanding of dementia.

East Anglian Daily Times: Children put together a memory box as part of link up with Alzheimer's Society, Long Melford Primary. Pictured is Harry Meachen.Children put together a memory box as part of link up with Alzheimer's Society, Long Melford Primary. Pictured is Harry Meachen.

Alzheimer’s Society support worker Becky Nicholson has been working with 34 young students at Long Melford Primary School as part of Dementia Awareness Week.

She talked to them about the condition and how it affects people, and told them how memory boxes are used to bring back long term memories and remind dementia patients of happy times.

The children, aged seven and eight, then went away and created their own memory boxes, which they brought back into school and discussed.

Class teacher, Beverley King, said: “They shared their thoughts with each other about why they would like to remember the items in their boxes when they are older.

“Some had included photos of special people, like grandparents, while others had baby clothes and bootees, their first toy which they remember cuddling when they were tiny and trophies that reminded them of playing with friends.

“Some of them have relatives with dementia so it has given the children a better understanding of how they might feel.

“The students are all very thoughtful and caring and seemed to be inspired by the idea of memory boxes.”

Dementia Awareness Week runs until Friday. Anyone with concerns about dementia can call the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122.