Shadon House Dementia Resource Centre
Equal Arts has provided an ongoing programme of creative activity over five years for respite and long term residents involving schools in the local community. They have enjoyed working with a small team of professional artists on garden design, visual arts, dance and movement with a focus on using creative activity and the outdoors to reduce anxiety.
Horticulturalist Jill Hlalo worked with the residents and pupils from Barley Mow Primary School to develop an attractive garden area and ideas for murals to be painted in the conservatory and other key locations, to bring the outside in. A current project with Janie Banks is looking at film archive and cinema.
In 2011 projects will include making memory boxes, movement and dance, and outdoor activity, including setting up a chicken run.
"It makes a huge difference just being able to spend time outdoors, walking and seeing the beautiful flowers."
The Friends of Shadon House was established to strengthen the relationship between Shadon House and the local community, promoting the centre as a community resource and hosting local events to. It currently has an active committee of six very committed members.
