The Archive will be closed from Monday 10 to Friday 14 August for essential building works, and on Monday 31 August for the Bank Holiday - we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Resources to support community groups
If you can’t come and visit us at the Archive we have lots of free resources to support work with older people and people living with Dementia.
You’ll find all the details below. We also run artist-led projects with older people, using the collection to inspire creativity and develop new skills or rediscover old ones – as well as having fun and meeting new people. Have a look at the Past Projects section to see what we’ve been up to.
If you’d like to bring your group to visit the Archive you’ll find all the info you need on our Community visits page.
Free Digital Resources
Our digital resources can be accessed from anywhere, anytime, and you can use them as many times as you want. The resources below can be viewed online (a tablet works well), downloaded and shared, or printed off.
Marking Moments
Marking Moments is our regular, free, seasonal newsletter containing archive images and activities to try at home. Notes are provided in each issue, giving more information to aid in-depth discussion. Choose from some of our past editions, or contact us to be added to our Marking Moments mailing list.
Image Packs
Download our free, themed image packs containing large, colourful images with notes and tips for getting everyone talking.
Stories from Sheet Music resource pack
Did you know that sheet music was a bestselling product at M&S in the 1910s?
Music can be beneficial for people living with dementia by reducing anxiety and lifting mood.
Use our free resource pack and recordings to help your group discover our collection of sheet music. The pack is divided into six themes, each theme has activities, archive images to aid conversation and more information about the music.
We’d love to know if you’ve used these resources. Drop us a line with your feedback or Tweet us @MandSHeritage or @LeedsPiano.
This project was generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Store photographs
Take a look at photographs of M&S stores through the years.
Vintage cinema adverts
Explore our vintage cinema adverts.
More about Digital Resources
What can I do to make your digital resources more effective for my group?
You can enhance the digital resources by adding your own sensory element; does a client or colleague in your care setting have a classic M&S garment that fits the theme of the digital resource, or can you spot a classic St Michael gem in your local charity shop? If you are in the local area, Memory Boxes are still available to borrow (by appointment) if you are able to collect and return the box to M&S Archive in Leeds. Get in touch at the bottom of the page for more information.
If you use the digital resources on a personal device, it’s possible to adjust and enhance the screen view to support people with visual impairments. If you print off and laminate the resources, you create your own reusable physical set.
I’m not far from M&S Archive in Leeds – are the digital resources my only option?
If you’d like to bring your group to visit the Archive you’ll find all the info you need on our Community visits page.
We offer outreach visits to care settings in Leeds, and Memory Boxes are available to borrow (by appointment) if you are able to collect and return the box to M&S Archive in Leeds.
Just get in touch below for more information.
Outreach Visits
We offer free reminiscence outreach visits to care settings across Leeds. We’ll bring a memory box containing vintage clothing and accessories, and run a reminiscence session with your group. Contact us below for more information.
Memory Boxes
Our loan memory boxes are filled with original objects that can help spark memories, stories and conversation. The boxes must be collected from and returned to the M&S Archive in Leeds and can be borrowed for up to two weeks. They are available to borrow free of charge for care settings such as care homes, memory cafés and day centres.
For more information, see below or contact us using the button below.
What are the M&S Archive Memory Boxes?
Our Memory Boxes contain original clothing, accessories and images, for use as memory and conversation prompts. The boxes include image packs and guidance notes on running a reminiscence session. Boxes can be borrowed for up to two weeks, and must be collected from the M&S Archive. Just get in touch to book – we’ll ask you to complete a short booking form to confirm your booking.
We previously offered a Memory Box loan delivery service. Overwhelming demand resulted in extremely long waiting lists to borrow one of the boxes, even after we created extra boxes. We’re now focusing on digital resources that can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. You can find more information about our Digital Resources further up this page.
