Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive partners with My Improvement Network’s RITA project
Date Posted: June 14, 2022
My Improvement Network is thrilled to partner with Northern Ireland Screen to enhance the reminiscence content in RITA for its Northern Ireland customers. Archive films relating to Northern Ireland’s history, culture and society were provided by Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive, and specially curated to appeal to local users. These materials will prove a valuable resource to stimulate reminiscence and stir memories. Focusing on films from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, the footage showcases beloved landmarks, activities, and events – be it the Giant’s Causeway, linen-making, or the Ould Lammas Fair – a colourful and nostalgic depiction of how generations in Northern Ireland have lived, worked, and played.
Mike Hamilton, Director from My Improvement Network comments: “RITA has been incredibly well received in Northern Ireland with every Health & Social Care Trust deploying the system into their services and the Public Health Agency also considering a full roll out of RITA in care homes. The enthusiasm we have witnessed from Dementia Service Improvement Leads across the country has been palpable, so it was a no brainer for us to explore opportunities to further enhance and localise RITA for them. Northern Ireland Screen has been a wonderful organisation to work with and its enthusiasm to support this initiative was clear to see from the start. We cannot wait to receive feedback on how this new content enhances people’s experiences in Hospitals and care homes even further.”
Richard William, CEO of Northern Ireland Screen said: “Our Digital Film Archive is delighted to partner with My Improvement Network on this compilation of archive footage stemming from the 50s to 70s. The films we unearthed through this project will help viewers rediscover old memories and relive experiences from their everyday life or historic places they may have visited. We continue to preserve content, safeguarding these materials for future generations, whilst ensuring that they can be accessed and enjoyed by audiences today.”
Orla Mathews, Dementia Service Improvement Lead (Hospitals), Northern Health and Social Care Trust said: “RITA is already proving to be an invaluable resource for in-patients who are living with a dementia throughout the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, assisting our Dementia Companions to provide therapeutic engagement and meaningful activity using innovative, digital technology. The news that My Improvement Network have linked up with Northern Ireland Screen is very welcome. By providing local reminiscence content curated from our region, our patients will have access to imagery that is relevant to many of their life stories and lived experience. Really looking forward to this fabulous additional content.”
