“The Royal Mint Museum is helping care homes across the UK to stimulate conversation and fun among residents with their ‘Museum in a Box’ project.

The interactive sessions are centred around a free-to-loan electronic box which includes objects relating decimalisation. Each object is fitted with a special micro-chip which, when placed on the box, play audio clips to foster memories and conversations with others about times gone by.

New for winter 2021, the scheme, which has already reached more than 500 care homes, has been further boosted by the donation addition of 50 Toughbooks donated by Panasonic.

The Toughbooks enable video and additional visual and audio content such as quizzes and fact sheets designed to promote reminiscence.

Project Coordinator Bethan James, from the Royal Mint Museum says: 

“The reminiscence sessions are a fun and stimulating activity, giving care home residents the opportunity to talk about their memories of times gone by. Thanks to Panasonic Business, we can now add another dimension to the project helping more people to be able to engage with the objects and the session. We’re very grateful to Panasonic for their support with this project. Their generosity has ensured that as many more positive experiences continue to be enjoyed.”

Kevin Jones, Director of Operations at Panasonic, added: “What an amazing initiative to be involved with! The Panasonic team are delighted to be able to donate Toughbooks to support these sessions and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the project.”

Each care home will receive a box for two weeks, and they are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses. To register for a ‘Museum in a Box’ please contact: decimalisation@royalmint.com or visit https://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/decimalisation/

The Royal Mint Museum is a registered charity, and an accredited museum, which is based on The Royal Mint site in Llantrisant, South Wales. Established in 1816, The Museum has one of the finest collections of coins and related numismatic material in the world. A range of videos and education materials relating to the Platinum Jubilee is available at: www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk