Posted: Wed 17th Feb 2016

Art workshops for people with dementia

news.wales / newyddion.cymru
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Feb 17th, 2016

Art workshops for people with dementia are being held at the Bryn Seiont Newydd Dementia Care Centre in Caernarfon ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

An innovative art project is underway at the Bryn Seiont Newydd Dementia Care Centre in Caernarfon. Gwynedd Council’s Community Arts Unit is working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society to present a series of art sessions for people who live with dementia at Bryn Seiont Newydd. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Local community artist Wendy Rogers along with Nia Lloyd-Roberts, Artist in Residence and Enrichment Coordinator at Bryn Seiont Newydd will work together to deliver an eight week programme of art activity. The workshops will respond to themes relating to the natural world using a variety of art techniques and mediums. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The project’s main aim is to offer meaningful and quality artistic opportunities for those who have dementia in Gwynedd. Taking part in art activities can offer people relaxation, enjoyment and inner calm. They also allow for emotional expression as an important healing influence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

People with dementia live increasingly in the present moment. Their emotions and senses appear heightened. The creative part of the brain, in people with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of this degenerative brain disorder) can remain undamaged for years. Involvement with the arts triggers instant reactions and responses and as such: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

– overrides the stresses and confusion of memory loss ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

– maximises brain function ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

– elevates mood ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

– restores personal identity ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

– encourages social interactivity ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The project will conclude with an exhibition of resident’s artworks at the STORIEL gallery in Bangor. This public exhibition will be an opportunity to share and celebrate the creativity of the project participants in a professional art gallery. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Workshops will take place during February and March 2016 and the exhibition will be open between 30 April and 18 June 2016 at STORIEL, Bangor. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

For more information please contact: Gwawr Wyn Roberts, Gwynedd Council Community Arts Development Officer: gwawrwynroberts@gwynedd.gov.uk / www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru / 01286 679721 / 07789 032517. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​



Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales



More from Gwynedd Council

Respiratory Illnesses, Including New Covid Variant, Pose Challenges for Winter, Says Health Board CEO

Gwynedd Council

North Wales Police Conclude Investigation into Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board’s Financial Dealings

Gwynedd Council

North Wales Council Approves 12% Increase in Taxi Licence Fees

Gwynedd Council

North Wales Bunkhouse and Inn Granted Extension for Fundraiser to Support Community Hub

Gwynedd Council

Cyngor Gwynedd Begins Checks on Buildings Amidst Concerns Over Concrete Integrity

Gwynedd Council

Plans for 20 Affordable Homes in Harlech Approved Despite Flooding Concerns

Gwynedd Council

Latest from News.Wales

Senior Councillors to Discuss £1 Transfer of Sports Pitch to Abertillery Bluebirds

Blaenau Gwent Council

Greggs Bakery Granted Permission to Extend Opening Hours in Former Bank

Torfaen Council

Early Stages of Battle for New Ceredigion Preseli Seat Begin with Campaign Launch by Current MP

Ceredigion Council

Rugby Captains from Brynamman Shine in World Cup Success

Carmarthenshire Council

Senior Doctor Warns NHS “Will Not Survive” if Hospitals Become Nursing Homes

Newport Council

Residents of Bridgend cul-de-sac frustrated by ongoing parking issues at nearby school

Bridgend Council