Stirling Observer

Arts for people with dementia

Project for people living at home

- Kaiya Marjoriban­ks

People living at home with dementia in Forth Valley are the focus of a new arts project.

Artlink Central’s Creative Prescripti­on is a participat­ory arts programme for people with the diagnosis who are still living at home, working through visual art, music and interactiv­e reminiscen­ce activities to develop lively, social environmen­ts. The programme is running in Stirling and Falkirk.

The free, referral service delivers activities that support social interactio­n, self-expression, creativity, mental health and wellbeing delivered in community settings and welcomes the involvemen­t of participan­t’s families and carers.

The weekly service will start in April, running through to September this year.

The Stirling service will be based in the Cowane Centre, Cowane Street, Stirling FK9 1HQ on Tuesdays from 10am until noon starting April 4. The Falkirk service will be based in Camelon Education Centre, Abercrombi­e Street, Falkirk FK1 4HA on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am until noon from April 6.

Artlink Central’s Sarah Pearson said: “Artlink Central has worked creatively in NHS Forth Valley settings with people with a diagnosis of dementia for 20 years. We are delighted to be able to bring our practice out into the community.

“This service has developed from a successful community pilot programme, ‘The Art of Conversati­on,’ which ran last year in Stirling, led by an experience­d team of Artlink Central artist practition­ers - Claire Docherty, Elaine Kordys and Frances Douglas - who are leading Creative Prescripti­on this year.”

For more informatio­n on the service and a referral form contact Sarah on 01786 450971 or email: sarah@artlinkcen­tral.org.

This service developed from a successful pilot programme

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