Niamh and Amy
The ForgetMeNot Platform, a bespoke digital memory book designed for individuals navigating dementia, emerged from the collaborative efforts of co-founders Niamh Murray and Amy Boyden. Their journey began during their studies at University College Cork, where they first crossed paths and discovered a shared experience with dementia.
Their partnership culminated in the development of the ForgetMeNot Platform. The App features essential tools photos, music, and voice recordings. These tools help to facilitate reminiscence therapy, a practice with proven benefits in reducing agitation and stimulating brain activity.
Niamh and Amy’s firsthand experiences caring for their loved ones impacted by dementia shaped their vision for the platform. The co-founders understood the difficulties that can surround communication for someone living with dementia and indeed their loved ones too. Niamh used photo albums and music as a means of communicating with her grandmothers Margaret and Kitty. Amy communicated with her step mother Ellen through storytelling. Employing these sensory cues became instrumental in fostering connections and evoking enduring memories.
Their approaches, developed instinctively, later aligned with the emerging principles of reminiscence therapy—an intervention known to invoke present memories by drawing upon past experiences and sensory triggers. Extensive research shows its effectiveness in managing cognitive symptoms and improving the well-being of individuals affected by dementia.
This initiative caters to individuals living with dementia, their loved ones, and formal caregivers within community care settings. While typically initiated by a family member, the platform encourages collective family involvement through a personalized four-digit code.
Niamh and Amy’s dedication to improving dementia care was further validated when they participated in the Ignite Programme, where their innovative platform won the “Best Investment Pitch” at the April 2023 showcase. The co-founders were also nominated in the One’s to Watch Category of the Cork Business Awards 2023.
In collaboration with dementia organisations across Ireland, Niamh and Amy are committed to expanding the app’s reach and forging enduring partnerships. Their aspiration is to elevate dementia care standards and transform the lives of those impacted by the condition through the ForgetMeNot Platform’s innovative approach.
The app is now available to download on Google Play. Visit www.forgetmenotapp.ie for more information.
