What’s New
DearMemory is continually improving, with new features and changes shaped by the families who use it.
Here you can see what’s been added, improved and inspired by your feedback.
DearMemory V2 Public Site Redesign & Memory Room Polish
We have completed a comprehensive redesign and quality audit across the entire DearMemory public website and logged-in Memory Room.
- Public Site Harmonisation: Brought all public resources, help pages, accessibility guidelines, feedback forms and organizational information into a unified, calm visual design system with enhanced typography and contrast.
- Memory Room Dashboard Polish: Streamlined action buttons, perfected memory card layouts, and improved audio player controls.
- Full View & Slideshow Experience: Enhanced Full View slideshow layouts to display photographs dynamically with clean, uncluttered captions.
- Accessibility & Performance: Improved keyboard focus visibility, ARIA landmark structures, screen-reader compatibility and zero-warning PHP stability.
New: Enjoy your memories as a slideshow
We’ve added a new Memory Slideshow to DearMemory, inspired by feedback from someone working in care.
The suggestion was simple: could memories be displayed automatically for someone who may find it difficult to keep pressing buttons or navigating a screen?
That idea has now become part of DearMemory.
The new slideshow lets memories move automatically from one to the next, while still giving a carer or family member simple controls when they need them.
There are two ways to watch:
Standard View
Shows the photograph alongside the memory and its controls.
Large View
Puts the photograph at the centre of the screen, with the memory text displayed at the bottom so the photograph remains the main focus.
Depending on what has been added to a memory, the slideshow can also include:
- Read Aloud
- recorded voice memories
- favourite music through YouTube
- Pause and Resume
- Next memory
- enlarged photographs
If a memory has a favourite song attached, the user can choose Play music and watch or listen without leaving the slideshow.
The aim is to make DearMemory easier to enjoy for people who may not want, or be able, to continually interact with a screen.
This feature came directly from feedback, which is exactly why suggestions from families, carers and organisations are so valuable to us.
A warmer, more personal DearMemory
Today I’ve made a number of improvements to DearMemory to make the site feel warmer, simpler and more personal for families.
The homepage has had a refresh, with three new memory cards designed to show how everyday moments can become meaningful memories. Each example now includes a short recorded narration, so visitors can hear how a memory might sound when it is brought to life.
I’ve also improved the way the homepage works on smaller screens and made a number of spacing and layout changes so everything feels cleaner and easier to read.
The Music & Memories section has also been refined, including improvements to the way music is presented and how visitors can move from DearMemory to listen to a song.
The Resources page has had some small layout fixes too, particularly around the bottom of the page, to make sure all of the information remains clear and visible.
There have also been several smaller improvements across the site based on testing and feedback, including changes to wording, navigation and the overall experience for families using DearMemory.
A special thank you to Heather, whose comments about the homepage helped shape some of today’s changes. Feedback like this is incredibly useful because DearMemory is being built around what real families, friends and carers find helpful.
DearMemory is continuing to grow a little at a time, and I’ll keep improving it as more people use the site and share their thoughts.
Music & Memories
A new Music & Memories page brings together YouTube music links that have been added to memories. Families can now browse songs in one place, select a track, use the built-in playlist controls and jump back to the memory connected with that song.
Inspired by feedback from DearMemory families.
Memory Map redesign
The Memory Map has been redesigned to make it easier to explore memories by place and revisit locations connected with important moments.
Inspired by feedback from DearMemory families.
Memory Questions
Memory Questions provide gentle prompts to help families uncover and preserve stories that might otherwise be forgotten.
Share DearMemory
A new Share DearMemory page brings together the full guided tour, printable literature and short how-to videos in one place.
Suggest a Feature
Families can now send ideas and suggestions directly through DearMemory to help shape future improvements.
Have an idea for DearMemory?
Some of our best improvements begin with suggestions from families.