The story behind the Multi-Sensory Time Kits

People with memory issues nearly always remember past experiences. Tapping into these memories, reminds them of happier and more productive times and stimulates more memories of past experiences.

One of our Soroptimist International members, Rosalind Sawyer (a retired Occupational Therapist), understood the need to have a full multi-sensory experience in order to achieve the best outcome. We use all our senses to understand the world we live in - sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell as well as our sense of wellbeing or happiness, and movement. 

We initially produced Boxed Kits containing resources necessary for the experience, as we realise that people often do not have the time to find them. They are simple items and we put them together in one box, for ease of use.

We have found that people were using their own items to add to their kits and it was decided that E-Kits are easier to distribute and allow more flexibility.

They can be used by many groups, such as aged care, those with neurological disorders, mental health agencies and with children.

This is the culmination of the project initiated by Rosalind’s enthusiasm. A small committee was formed in 2018. They worked with AtoZ Visual, a local film maker and photographer, to produce three kits in the series as a pilot study. This was helped by a grant from the Brandenberg Trust through the City of Albany Compassionate Communities Project. The pilot proved such a success, the Albany Soroptimists and Soroptimist International WA gave support to expand the project to include more topics/themes. 

With a grant from the Government of Western Australia Department of Communities we were able to complete five kits and undertake a promotion program to relevant agencies and venues.

Current themes include:
• The Beach
• The Kitchen
• The Shearing Shed
• The Dairy
• The Garden