Borough council in the north east has agreed a contract with startup Virtual Memory Box to help children keep track of their photos, videos, audio recordings and other important documents

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has signed a three-year contract to use the Virtual Memory Box digital life-story platform for its children in care.

Local authorities have a statutory requirement to undertake “life-story work” to support identity formation and emotional wellbeing among looked-after children. Traditional approaches have included creating a physical “memory box”, but they can be lost or damaged, especially through changes in care arrangements.

Gateshead startup Virtual Memory Box developed its eponymous cloud-based platform in conjunction with South Tyneside Council with the aim of making it easier for young people – and their carers – to keep mementoes safe.

The platform allows photos, videos, audio recordings and documents to be uploaded and organised into a visual timeline. Children and young people can add captions or voice notes, helping them to tell their story in their own words. The system can be accessed on smartphones, tablets and computers.

Social workers, carers and other professionals can also contribute, ensuring that memories are captured collaboratively, while remaining safe and secure. The system includes robust cybersecurity measures, and content cannot be permanently deleted, reducing the risk of accidental loss.

Related content

• ‘Not functioning effectively’ – government to intervene in social care IT market
• Government pushes back digital social care timeframe by a year after falling 17 points short of 80% target
• Government plans national platform for sharing of social-care data

Stockton Council’s three-year contract with Virtual Memory Box has a value of £34,560 and runs until 31 December 2028.

Councillor Clare Besford, who is Stockton’s cabinet member for children and young people, said the authority is committed to being a good “corporate parent”.

“We’re immensely proud of our track record of supporting children in our care and a virtual memory box is a lovely addition as we found physical memory boxes can often become damaged or lost, which can of course be upsetting for children,” she said. “By doing it virtually, these precious memories are kept safe and secure for the future. This is just one of many things we do to support our care-experienced young people. Last year, we officially opened our ‘No Limits Hub’, a one-stop-shop for care leavers, which offers life skills such as cooking classes and information on employment and training. Plus, all care leavers in the borough aged 18 to 25 can take advantage of free bus travel around the area, thanks to a scheme run in partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority.”

Virtual Memory Box currently provides services to more than a dozen local authorities, including Blackpool Council, Hull City Council, Darlington Borough Council and the London Borough of Hackney.