The Music Memory Box is a simple kit that you can fill together with meaningful objects, music and photographs. All three combine together to help unlock and recall memories in a simple and tactile way. It’s like a personal jukebox.  

While visiting her Great Gran who was living with dementia, Chloe Meineck witnessed the transformative effects of music. Finding that there was a lack of specialised and personal dementia music products, Chloe decided to create her own – and Music Memory Box was born. 

Since then Chloe has developed the box alongside hundreds of people living with dementia, families and carers across the UK and Japan. We've learnt a lot to make the prototypes better and now we are launching the first batch of Music Memory Boxes available across the world to anyone who needs one.

Filling the box is a beautiful process within itself, and we’ve made the tech as simple and friendly as possible so it’s accessible to everyone. 

The simple set up process:

• Create a photo collage of different times in the box owners life in the lid of their box

• Gather the music that they love, that prompts fond memories

• Find objects that are meaningful to them, or make some new ones

• Add the music to the box on a simple USB memory stick

• Place one stick-on-sensor on each object

• Use the simple controls to match a piece of music to the objects, the box will even talk you through it

Once set up – just place an object in the centre of the box and the song will play. We've found that even people at the later stages of dementia can use this on their own.

Music Memory Box is already award winning

And so is Chloe, who made it

Last year we piloted 28 prototypes of the Music Memory Box with experts in their field - academics researching dementia and music, several CQC good and outstanding rated care homes, the community group Bristol Black Carers, individual families and charities working with people living with dementia, to gather feedback and evaluate the product.

This evaluation led to some invaluable feedback about the functionality, design and overall effects Music Memory Box had on the people who used it. This feedback has helped us refine the next version of the product that we are now launching on kickstarter.  

We are trying to raise £25k as our initial goal, and we've already been hard at work securing a £40k loan and £20k further investment alongside this to be able to deliver the product.

We need your money to help us develop the design for manufacture and purchase the first batch of products. The fastest way for us to carry out that plan is with your support. We want to start a conversation about the future of this product with YOU. Help us make it happen!

Every donation will go towards getting more boxes out there and into the hands of people and families who need them.

When you pre-order a Music Memory Box for the special VAT free price £199 you will get:

• One first edition box; made of easy to clean material, in blue, red or brown

• A guide with simple step by step instructions on how to set everything up

• 1 USB Stick to load your songs on to

• 8 RFID sensor stickers for 8 objects

• A power cable

• Control cards for easy navigation

Some of the details may change slightly once we enter manufacture but we'll keep you updated throughout.  

David with his daughter putting his box together

Through Music Memory Box one daughter heard their Dad sing for the first time. Sons and daughters have learnt more about their mum and Dads lives, and life long partners have been reminded of their love for each other. 

Mr Hill singing along to 'Green, green grass of home' by Tom Jones

Families and care staff have reported for the person living with dementia the box:

• Reduced confusion & anxiety

• Improved communication

• Improved sense of independence & identity

• Increased enjoyment

• Improved general wellbeing and quality of life 

Family members and care workers have reported for themselves:

• Greater quality of conversations

• Improved communication

• Greater connection + enjoyment

• Reduced frustration

• Improved quality of life

Vera and her Music Memory Box

Filling the lid with photos

Multi-sensory – Not relying on a single sense, uses music, tangible objects and photos all in one place. The multiple senses can work together to recall a story or memory.

Can be customised for the individual – Whether it’s classical concertos, ska reggae or experimental jazz – whatever your music tastes, background and culture – Music Memory Box is open to all and not generalised on age range. Whatever brings the memories back – you can fill your Music Memory Box with personal and meaningful music customised to the individual.

Simple to use with a tactile interface – By playing music through objects when put in the centre of the box – People living with dementia even at the later stages can use it unassisted, improving independence and choice of when to use it, and can access their music anytime.

If we reach our £25k target and then go over this target this is what we'll be able to do: