Arts project launched to help dementia sufferers

Published: 12-Jun-2013

The Napkin Project aims to improve knowledge of dementia and enhance lives of sufferers

Healthcare arts consultancy, Willis Newson, has launched The Napkin Project aimed at people with dementia.

The initiative came about when Brunelcare, a residential care provider, commissioned artists Deirdre Nelson and Eamon O’Kane to create artworks for its new dementia care home, Saffron Gardens in Bristol.

As well as creating bespoke works, while researching the needs of residents in one of the company’s existing facilities, they identified that they were often fascinated by the textured edges of items, playing with, handling and exploring objects such as the napkins they used at mealtimes. A member of staff also told Nelson that one resident would join napkins together to carry her possessions around with her and that another used hers as a vase to hold flowers. The Napkin Project evolved out of this observation.

In delivering the work it also became clear that there was a lot of fear and anxiety around dementia, fuelled by a lack of knowledge about the condition and ways in which people with dementia can be supported and helped. And, while the benefits of taking creative approaches to caring for people with dementia are well documented, care home staff are often at a loss as to how to creatively engage residents.

To address this, The Napkin Project will use social media and practical craft workshops to engage the general public in using their skills to embroider a unique and individual napkin to help inspire the residents of Saffron Gardens.

Jane Willis, director of Willis Newson, said: “What if we could tell more people about dementia and creativity and get them involved in crafting a beautiful object for use by residents in the home? This is, in essence, what The Napkin Project is about.

“We will be sending out the bare napkins and creating a social media storm around the project, posting pictures as the finished napkins flood in.”

The initiative has been made possible with funding from Brunelcare, Arts Council England and Bristol City Council.

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