Living with dementia art exhibit

THERE was a great turnout at the Hear Our Voice exhibition in Bray recently.

The exhibition at The Well focused on exploring what people with dementia and their carers need in order to live a more fulfilling life in Wicklow.

As citizens, people with dementia are entitled to the same from life and their community as everyone else. However, neg- ative perceptions and misunderstandings of dementia can act as a barrier to people with dementia in having a ‘voice’ or the opportunity to use their expertise and their stories to develop support, services, wider community policy and practices in the areas they live.

The Wicklow Dementia Support ‘Our Voice’ project, which was funded by the Community Foundation of Ireland, uses the creative arts to support people with dementia and family carers to have their say about what is important to them and what can help them to continue to do the things they enjoy.

This exhibition, curated by Jade Butler, looked beyond the condition, highlighting the strengths of people with dementia through artworks.

Michael Fisher and Gertie O’Neill.

ABOVE: Jackie O’Neill from Wicklow Dementia Support pours Liz Dillon a cuppa from their fine china. LEFT: Liz Wall, Marita O’Brien and Jenny O’Reilly from Wicklow Dementia Support, Michael Fisher, Minister Simon Harris and Jackie O’Toole Wicklow...

Ray and Maria Teresa Keogh with Jade Butler, who facilitated the exhibition.

Minister Simon Harris meets Patrick Molloy, who was there to see his grandad Tadhg Twomey’s work.

Margaret McCormack with Minister Harris.