Staff at Oswestry Library were delighted recently after they received a cheque for £1,000 from Oswestry Town Council to fund resources for local people living with dementia.

The donation was the brainchild of town councillor Chris Schofield, who brought the matter to his peers at the Guildhall as a way of supporting the work the library does with Share Memory Bags, which needed replacing.

Siobhan Shaw, library branch manager, admitted she was delighted that the council has thrown its support behind the work and says they will be working with residents using the service on how best to use it.

She said: “We are thrilled that councillors recognise how effective our libraries are in meeting the need for information and activities for those with dementia and their families.

"Our current range of loanable Shared Memory Bags on themes such as music, travelling, childhood and pets is very popular and provides a fun, interactive and therapeutic experience free of charge to anyone with a library ticket.

"We will be seeking the views of local people living with dementia and their supporters on the most helpful, effective ways to use the funding and look forward to providing an extended service from Oswestry Library.”

Mayor of Oswestry, Cllr John Price, who backed the motion at council and has his own experiences with the condition.

And he was on hand to help present the cheque.

He said: “Cllr Schofield brought this motion forward, which was unanimously supported by the council, following an update given by Shropshire Council at a meeting of the Oswestry Health Group.

"It was inspiring to hear how memory bags can help family members and carers of people with dementia to spark conversations about their lives.”

Anyone looking for more information about Shropshire Libraries’ Shared Memory bags is available here at www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/groups-and-support/health-and-wellbeing/shared-memory-bags/”