Creative Dementia Journeys in Kent

The environment

Although this project did not have any particular environmental aspects, our artists are very environmentally conscious and we encourage and champion recycling, reusing and repurposing materials when working with Bright Shadow. Artists were able to use anything from our existing stock of materials and if we did not have a particular material, artists were encouraged to use a second hand and recycling arts initiative.

The local economy

This project has helped the local economy by paying local freelance artists fairly for their experience and time.

Volunteering, jobs & education

This project has provided freelance work for 10 artists across Kent, most of whom have not provided creative sessions within someone's home before. This project has provided a learning environment for our artists to explore an alternative arts based approach to developing people living with dementia's creative interests and capabilities.

Arts, culture & heritage

We are a specialist arts organisation providing creative opportunities for people living with or affected by dementia and this project is a direct response to the needs of the families most affected by lockdowns. Our sessions have been received by families who are in the greatest need for support, including some participants who are no longer able to attend existing Zest sessions because of their deteriorating health. This project has allowed these people living with dementia to continue to have access to arts and culture and express themselves. Findings from our work contribute to research about best practice in dementia arts.

Activity, health and leisure

Our sessions maintained the sense of personhood and citizenship for people living with dementia, giving access to those with memory problems to meaningful, specialist activities and the chance to socialise with others with similar lived experiences.