People living with dementia in Keswick and the surrounding areas can continue to enjoy weekly creative activities at a local theatre, thanks to a generous grant from The Hadfield Trust.
Setting the Scene, a series of relaxed and informal weekly creative sessions, help people to share, create and connect. Part of a wider dementia programme facilitated by the team at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, the project has recently won an award for Community Involvement at the CN Group Business Awards 2015 and was shortlisted as a finalist in the Arts & Dementia Category at the International Dementia Awards.
The creative sessions have been designed for people with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers to enjoy together. They include a blend of simple drama exercises, singing, music and movement, storytelling, crafts and conversation and are led by skilled and friendly creative practitioners. Each session is themed and often built around the interests, passions and personalities of different members of the group.
Activities are focused on what people can do, rather than things they may have lost through the development of the disease and aim to increase confidence, social interaction and general feeling of well-being.
“We are delighted to be able to continue these fantastic activities at the theatre, thanks to funding from The Hadfield Trust.
People living with a diagnosis of dementia can feel incredibly isolated and the sessions allow people to come together, be creative, share their experiences over a cuppa and maintain those social connections that are crucial to wellbeing.
Funding also means that we can offer the sessions to participants for free so that anyone can attend, no matter what their status or background.”
Project Lead, Theatre by the Lake
Setting the Scene sessions take place every Thursday from 11am – 12.30pm at Theatre by the Lake.
There is no need to book and everyone is welcome. Sessions include refreshments.
For more information please contact Mary Elliott on 017687 81103.
The Hadfield Trust, started in 1997, is a charitable trust which gives cash grants to charitable organisations in Cumbria. The Trust works particularly to provide help for charitable projects working in the fields of social needs, youth and employment, help for older people, the arts and the environment. Interested charitable groups should visitwww.hadfieldtrust.org.uk for more information.
Article by Carl Fallowfield. Originally published in Cumbria Crack 17/11/15
