Can active engagement in the arts help people in the early stages of dementia and their carers? That’s what an interesting initiative set out to explore in 2012.
- 17 projects took place across London – in art, music, dance, theatre, poetry, photography and media.
- 209 people participated – 128 people with dementia and 81 carers.
- The initiative was coordinated by the charity Arts 4 Dementia.
- Project partners included Dulwich Picture Gallery, Green Candle Dance, Kenwood House, the Museum of Brands, the National Portrait Gallery, The Prince of Wales Theatre, Rambert Dance, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, South Asian Dance, Tricycle Theatre and The Wallace Collection.
- Of the people with dementia who participated 97% recognised that creative activity overrides memory worries, 89% felt more fulfilled through their creative achievement, 89% claimed they felt more confident, 75% felt more energetic and 75% felt keener to socialise.
- Carers reported that, after participating in an event: 94% of people with dementia stayed energised, unstressed, happy and alert overnight; 80% for three days and 60% for a week.
- The programme's evaluation report was described by Baroness Greengross, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia as, 'a very important report.'
You can download the full report from