News: Dementia Awareness Week at Stockton ARC

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Dementia Awareness Week at Stockton ARC

A range of activities will be taking place at ARC to coincide with Dementia Awareness week which starts from tomorrow, including an arts based exhibition by members of Creative Age and the live streaming of a session, information stalls from the Alzheimer’s Society and engaging ‘Dementia Friends’ sessions.

Weekly Creative Age sessions are held at ARC all year round for people living with early stage Dementia, and along with their carers, current members of the group will be showcasing their own crafty creations and artistic work in a free exhibition at ARC which is on display now until Saturday 28 May.

As well as the exhibition, this week’s Creative Age session on Tuesday 17 May will be streamed live on the Creative Age Facebook page so families can find out more about the sessions, and hopefully attract more people with early stage Dementia to take part.

Debbie Smith is the daughter of one of the weekly participants of Creative Age, she commented: “I would like to thank ARC and the artists very much for the work they do with my mum at the Creative Age sessions.

“At the end of last year, my Mum received a diagnosis of frontal temporal Dementia. She has always enjoyed being creative and when she got the opportunity to go on a Tuesday to the class we were delighted. I can’t put into words what it means to her and our family, it is something she loves. I love to speak to Mum on a Tuesday after the class, I hear her excitement as she recounts what she has done and reads me her poem or composition. It feels as though the group and activities were tailor made for her and they seem to challenge her and tap into her inner most resources without over whelming her. It gives mum confidence in a really positive way.”

Annabel Turpin, Chief Executive of ARC said: “Creative Age is a vital arts-led opportunity, and people have been enjoying attending the sessions here since September 2015. The topics that are covered are so varied and so engaging, and we have received excellent feedback from attendees and their companions alike.”

There will also be drop in sessions from the Alzheimer’s Society, who will be handing out leaflets and providing information on their services throughout the week.

Dementia Friends sessions will also be taking place throughout the week. The sessions will last for 45 minutes and will be delivered by ‘champions’ to raise awareness of Dementia with the general public, you can become a Dementia Friend by signing up online (www.dementiafriends.org.uk).

Artist and theatre-maker Zoe Murtagh will be dropping in to asking people about their favourite songs and places and any feedback will be included in her brand new play, Lamppost Petition, which will be performed at ARC later in the year.

All activities will be taking place at ARC this week and form part of the venue’s commitment to proving accessible, arts-led activities to all.

If you, or a family member or friend would be interested in attending Creative Age classes at ARC, or if you would like to find out more about any of the Dementia Awareness activities taking place at ARC this week, contact alison.watson@arconline.co.uk