Reminiscence Ireland was established by Albert Perris to promote the use of reminiscence work as a social intervention for older people.

Reminiscence activities contribute to a broad range of defined, real social benefits for older people ranging from social inclusion and participation to cultural identity and community building and from heritage and education to personal development and mental health.

And last Monday, October 19 Albert won an award from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. He was one of 31 people who received awards from the President Mary McAleese.

The social entrepreneurs are set to share prize money of n750,000.
Reminiscence work makes connections between a person's past, present and future using the process of recalling and sharing one's memories.

It is particularly meaningful for older people in care settings suffering from dementia, disorientation or isolation and helps confirm a sense of unique identity and encourage feelings of self-worth.

Reminiscence Ireland aims to raise awareness, promote best practice through training and engage in facilitation of reminiscence work at a local and national level.

It is committed to the establishment of a National Reminiscence Centre, a place where all sections of our community can gather and play a part in structured intergenerational, intercultural and therapeutic reminiscence activities.

Albert Perris, founder of Reminiscence Ireland, has facilitated reminiscence programmes in Ireland since 1998 and has managed residential and social care services as far back as 1993.

Albert Perris has a BA in Social Science (Care) and has managed community based social care and residential services in the community and statutory sector since 1993.

He has also been involved in facilitating reminiscence workshops since 1998 and has been delivering training since 2001.

He is currently completing an MA in voluntary and community sector management.