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ART IN MINDA diagnosis of dementia can be devastating for both the person affected and those close to them, however it has been shown that engaging with the arts can enhance the quality of life. Creative skills can remain vibrant for years after the onset of dementia, and engaging with the arts can help sufferers keep their social life alive as well as providing an outlet for expression. Art in Mind is a programme of monthly creative workshops at The Lightbox, Woking, for people with early stage dementia and their family members, friends or supporters because caring for someone with dementia can be almost as isolating and lonely as the condition itself. Each session is led by a professional artist who introduces different art forms and gives support and encouragement throughout.Art in Mind started in 2013 when The Lightbox ran a series of pilot sessions, funded by a grant from The Funding Network. It took its model from training and research carried out by Arts4Dementia and adapted it for its own particular style and needs. The pilot sessions proved very successful and some of those initial participants still attend regularly. Many remember the sessions, despite other memory problems. As the programme proved such a success, once the initial grant money ran out The Lightbox was keen to secure further funding to allow the work of the programme to continue. The Chairman of Guildford Evening DFAS, Cherry-Anne Russell, learnt of the project through her Young Arts Secretary Kate Mundy. Cherry-Anne thought it would be a wonderful scheme for NADFAS to get involved with and took it to the Area with the idea that other local Societies could each fund a session. Camberley DFAS, Cobbett’s Wey DFAS, Mayford DFAS, Shalford DFAS, Surrey Heath DFAS, Walton & Hersham DFAS and Weybridge DFAS, along with the Patricia Fay Memorial Fund, all came on board with the idea, a fantastic example of cooperation.Richard Stocks, Chairman of Weybridge DFAS, says the Society was delighted to join the scheme. “When I raised it at our committee meeting and explained how the project works, they were unanimous that we should support it. The project fi ts in so well with the aims of NADFAS in bringing art and culture to a wider community, and can be a real benefi t for those suffering from dementia and other conditions.” Abigail Hall, Learning and Engagement Manager at The Lightbox, says: “We are so grateful to NADFAS for its support for this valuable work. Through your generosity we are able to continue providing creative, engaging workshops that stimulate people living with dementia and provide a safe, nurturing space for social interaction, both for those with dementia, but also for their carer.” • For more information about the Art in Mind programme and The Lightbox gallery and museum please visit thelightbox.org.uk. ■ Right The workshops offer support and encouragementBelow Chairmen from the eight Societies involvedPROVIDING A CREATIVE OUTLETArt workshops designed to help people with dementia and their carers are supported by Societies in the West Surrey Area8 Societies support monthly art workshops with space for 6 people and their carers“I have to keep bringing him. He loves it so much. It’s a highlight.” CARER OF DEMENTIA SUFFERERMAIN IMAGE COURTESY THE LIGHTBOX. SOCIETIES PIC (FROM L-R): Tony Cowell, West Surrey Area Chairman; John Smith, Walton & Hersham DFAS Chairman; Stella Campbell, Camberley DFAS Chairman; Joan Crowe, Surrey Heath DFAS Chairman; Sally Payne, Cobbett’s Wey DFAS Programme Secretary; Rae Robbins, Mayford DFAS Chairman; Richard Stocks, Weybridge DFAS Chairman; Liz Coult, Shalford DFAS Chairman; Cherry-Anne Russell, Guildford Evening DFAS Chairman.16 — THE ART OF GIVING