Digital memory boxes introduced for children in care

Dylan McKee is co-founder of Virtual Memory Box

Digital memory boxes for children living in care have been introduced as research shows they help youngsters build a stronger identity as they grow up.

The technology is being used to ensure young people in Blackpool can keep hold of memories linking them to their past after a study showed the negative impact on young people if they lose or misplace physical possessions.

Blackpool Council is now rolling out the Virtual Memory Box.

Victoria Gent, director of children’s services at the authority, said: "A child’s understanding of their life journey and experiences is so important for them and helps to develop identity and sense of self."

'The little things'

She said physical items would continue to be stored, but the Virtual Memory Box "allows the convenient, secure storage of and access to digital memories or mementoes for our children that we sadly find can often get easily lost or damaged as they mature".

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the tool, co-founded by Dylan McKee, will keep everything in one place and help young people "reflect on the key moments and events that are meaningful to them".

Andrea Ullyott, 57, from Cleveleys who has been fostering children for 22 years with her husband Keith, said: “We collect and keep as much as we can for them so they can have memories to look back on.

"The little things as well as big moments – even if they might not remember them from the time, it’s really important," she added.

Christian Brock says the Virtual Memory Box helps children "support their life story"

Christian Brock, managing director of Virtual Memory Box, said: "It’s our aim to give all children in care access to a Virtual Memory Box, as we know from research how vital it is in helping support their life story and building their identity, and how useful it is for social workers and carers, too.

"It’s wonderful to know children and young people across Blackpool will be benefiting from this innovative digital tool, too."