Art Workshops for Older People and With Dementia

ART SALAD 

Art practice has been found to be beneficial in helping people living with dementia to communicate in a non-verbal way, when communication is proving to be difficult. Painting and drawing can allow us to use imagination which can help people living with dementia to feel connected to the people around them.  Those with dementia taking part may benefit from the following:  

• Increased brain stimulation  

• Improved memory   

• sense of achievement   

• Allows individuals to express their creativity   

• Boosts physical strength   

• Enhances mood and general wellbeing  

Art Salad was conceived because approximately 6 years ago my Mother in Law was diagnosed with dementia and more recently my Father in Law.   Watching first-hand how cruel this disease can be to this wonderful, kind, gentle couple and the family around them I felt compelled to do something with my art background to help others around us in a similar situation.  

I was aware that there were some services available specifically to this demographic in my community of London Colney, St Albans. However, after investigation I discovered that there were no visual art workshops available for those with dementia.  This is when I made the decision to enquire with our parish council if they would be happy for me to provide this service.  At the beginning of Autumn 2022 after some months of discussion the parish council and I agreed to start the workshops from January 2023 and to make them FREE sessions.  Coupled with the help of a small grant from Hertfordshire County Council and a donation from a local business, Little Nightingale’s Nursery. This meant that any art materials required could be purchased using the money raised and the art workshops could remain to be free of charge allowing anyone to attend.  A crowdfunding page was also created for any further donations people may want to make to keep the service moving into 2024 or the potential to increase the frequency per month.