E1 Social Lab in Ostend 12th February 2020

Librarians from all over Flanders gathered at the Ostend Library. The task was to disseminate findings from the process which was implemented during the I_Improve project. Ostend Library changemaking tool is a project about including people with dementia in the activities of the library. A new, and not obvious, target group where the library can use their archives of vinyl and music to temporarily bring back memories. 

Martine Meire, the guardian angel of our European cooperation in Ostend, introduced the project to the library colleagues from Flanders, and even France (Library of Dunkirk). The changemaker Hilde De Brand prepared and lead the meeting. Invited guests gave speeches about dementia. Martne Vandermaes, Head of The Ostend Library,  presented informal learning and the changemaker´s role in the organisational process. 

What is new in this methodology? How do you break the taboo surrounding dementia? Is music helpful in breaking stereotypes about disappearing memories?

Some time ago, partners from Poland and Ostend met in order to work on the initial steps of the project and its methodology. During a one week learning process that started in Ostend with colleagues from Poland and informal educator Avril Mehhan. The discussion was about who needs and who is interested in the dementia. We started with the vinyl collection from the library’s archive! Mathias created a page “Learn dementia and the bib“, where the library published all the experiences from the I_Improve project. “here we share our I_Improve experiences “- It has been connected to the blog where people could publish own reflections, and to instagram, FB , all under the theme of dementia.

We are CHANGEMAKERS

Hilde De Brand got engaged as a local changemaker in order to develop a project with a methodology for people suffering from dementia. She introduced a business model according to Value proposition design, with the value proposition and customer profile: what is the need, what is the offer. Is your offer matching your needs? Start with why- than how- and than what! 

Why working with people who have dementia?

The project proves that it is possible to diminish loneliness and bring back memories, even with the sickness slowly clouding your mind and covering memories with darkness. 

Forgotten Orchestra @Ostend Library

Images from the project "Forgotten Orchestra", presented for librarians of Flandern as new methodology 12th February 2020