Life Memories - where stories join the past to the future
Life Memories is a venture which captures and preserves recollections of your life, created by Caroline Armstrong, an experienced researcher and interviewer.
It aims to be a personal reflection of your life, encompassing important memories, events and remembering people and that have helped shaped your world, providing valuable insights for future generations. It can refer to those who have inspired or influenced you; sharing meaningful anecdotes where stories really join the past to the future.
I will create a hardback Life Memories Book culminating hours of interviews with photos and memorabilia. The most popular option is the single person - The Heritage Package. There is also the Couple’s Option of two people who live together combining their stories- Dual Heritage package.
For either package, the book will be a cherished and meaningful legacy for your family, passed on to future generations. Unique books for unique people.
About Caroline Armstrong
Published Writer &
Experienced Researcher
I have 30 years of research experience, including being a founding partner of a research company, and a freelance consultant. I am based in Northumberland but available for the whole of the North East and the rest of the UK.
My entrepreneurial spirit is captured within the creation of this Life Memories venture, as it combines my natural fascination of people with my desire to preserve people’s own history. I'm a friendly, confident, well organised professional, who approaches each project with the dedication and attention to detail expected by my clients.
My expertise is delivering excellent interviewing and analysis skills, writing with flair and accuracy. I have crafted the art of using open and closed questions which encourages interviewees to feel relaxed and comfortable in sharing their thoughts, opinions and experiences.
I have been a Dementia Adviser for a major charity providing first-hand experience of working with people with dementia and their loved ones. My empathetic, caring nature establishes rapport with people quickly and easily, ensuring the process is both productive and enjoyable. I have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate providing reassurance of completed Police Checks, vital for those who are vulnerable.
Our Approach
Expertise
My approach has been devised after many years of research and interviewing. Key skills are the probing and other questioning techniques I utilise which encourage people to elaborate and explore interesting stories, all conducted whilst remaining focussed and conscious of time.
Creating the books requires time, superb analysis and writing skills. The text is carefully amalgamated with photos within a desk top package in a creative and impactful way.
Quality Matters
Our recordings and books are devised with the content and appearance being of the highest quality. This includes using a professional proof reader and a designer to edit photos and create the layout of the book.
We have chosen suppliers who provide quality USB memory sticks and boxes, and printers who have quality at the heart of what they do. This ensures you will be delighted with the final product, giving pleasure to future generations.
How Do We Create A Lifetime Memories Book
Initial Discussion of the process & style
Life Memories are not about genealogy. They capture an in-depth emotive recollection of your most important experiences, thoughts, perceptions and feelings, told in stories and conversations that have created the person you are.
We establish the style, focus and time span I discuss the process, including the discussion guide I will be giving you and the collection of photos and memorabilia.
The discussion guide includes questions that will help you prepare some notes on topics you would like to include, including specific themes of your own. This means that, rather than relying on memory you could for example check dates and places with other family members before our interviews start.
There is no need to provide lots of information, we will explore the detail when we conduct the recordings. You will have at least 3 weeks to complete this before we start the recording session/s.
To find out more about the interview, recordings and photographs process, please follow the links below.
What Does A Lasting Memories Book Look Like?
Depending which package you choose, the output will be the following:
Option 1
Heritage -One person's life book
Life Memories Book of approximately 100 pages including up to 50 photos and pictures of other memorabilia. 3 printed hard backed books.
Electronic PDF copy of the Life Memories Book, a short video clip from one of the interviews (approx.15 minutes) on a USB memory stick in an attractive box (3 copies).
Option 2
Dual Heritage - A couple's life book
Life Memories Book of approximately 200 pages including up to 100 photos and pictures of other memorabilia. 6 printed hard backed books.
Electronic PDF copy of the Life memories Book, a short video clip from one of the interviews (approx.15 minutes) of each person on one memory stick in an attractive box (3 copies).
Additional copies of all the above may be ordered and will be discussed with the client.
If there is an option not described here please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Community Talks
I hope you have found the website inspiring and informative. I thoroughly enjoy the experience of creating the books and the impact they have, but there is no substitution for hearing about the venture first-hand.
I have created a talk to deliver to community groups such as Golf clubs, WI, and Care Homes. A typical talk is around 45 mins with a question and answer session included. Within this we explore the magic of a life memory book experience where Caroline provides examples of books and stories and describes reactions of families who have received the life memory books. We examine the process involved and the reaction of those who have taken part.
Please contact us if you would like to book a community talk.