The importance of online memory boxes

Charities and councils have for many years used memory boxes to help those who have experienced loss and trauma to better understand their feelings.  

These physical boxes of memories are designed to support people who are recently bereaved, living with dementia, or have experienced the care system and may have suffered neglect or abuse.  

Typically, memory boxes include photographs of a person’s family and those they have lost. They can also include diary entries to explain their feelings and items such as jewellery and ornaments with a sentimental value.  

But keeping these important, physical collection of memories can be challenging. Items, as well as the entire boxes themselves can become lost, stolen, or damaged.  

Losing items is especially prevalent among looked after children, many of whom experience multiple placements before they leave local authority care.  

This is where online memory boxes can be a lifeline, to avoid the loss of precious items and to ensure that their users can access them wherever they are. 

Here we look at the importance of online memory boxes and some of the councils, charities, and technology experts who are using them to protect people’s memories. 

Virtual Memory Box 

Among memory box providers is Virtual Memory Box, which is supporting children with experience of care across the North of England.  

The platform been developed by software firm Nebula Labs with South Tyneside local authority.  

Children can use the system to upload music, videos, photos and other memories, which they can then access by logging in anywhere.  

South Tyneside Director of Children’s Services Julie Firth says: “We know, because children have told us, that supporting them to have meaningful memories of their childhood is important.” 

She adds that online memory boxes help children “focus on collecting memories” and to “understand their journey to adulthood”.  

Adam Ellison, South Tyneside council’s Lead Member for Children and Families’ Social Care says online boxes ensure they can meet the challenge that “too often children in care can lose special photos and mementos” by using physical memory boxes.  

Blackpool Council’s Director of Children’s Services Victoria Gent told the BBC in August 2024 that “a child’s understanding of their life journey and experiences is so important for them and helps to develop identity and sense of self”. 

She adds that while physical memories for children will continue to be stored, keeping items online “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”. 

Virtual Memory Box Managing Director Christian Brock adds: “It’s our aim to give all children in care across the country 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.”  

Much Loved 

Another digital memory box provider is Much Loved, which is focused on those who are bereaved. This is used widely by hospice charities to help support the families and friends of those they have cared for.  

This platform allows people to upload photos, music and videos through a range of options for free. 

To sign up people can enter details of the person they want to open a tribute to, then set whether they want their memory box to be public or private. Public boxes include a setting where visitors can make donations to a charity or good cause of the person’s choice.  

Among charities using Much Loved’s platform is Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice which says to families that creating an Online Memory Box “is a lovely way to remember” those that they have lost.  

Another is Longfield Community Hospice which advises families and friends to fill their online memory boxes “with love” through their favourite photos, videos, messages and songs “anything that reminds you of the special person you are celebrating”.  

It also reminds people contributing that they can donate to the hospice.  

Memory Box Project 

Memory boxes are also being used to help those with dementia and their carers. The Memory Box Project Online is free and allows users to place items such as photos to provide a digital record of “memories from times gone by”.  

This was initially run by the Wessex Heritage Trust and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. It has since been taken over by The Memory Box Foundation.  

Kudoboard 

US based Kudoboard is also offering an online memory box service, via a onetime charge of £75. This offers those who sign up the opportunity to make unlimited posts as well as record video posts to celebrate the life of a colleague, family member, or friend who has passed away.