Main fundraiser photo

Young People with Dementia pottery class



 "It’s good to relax for a couple of hours and forget everything else." (Participant)
                                     
 "It was one of the best things that kept my dad going and my kids now each have a piece of his work that they keep various trinkets in" (Participant`s family member)

These are a few of the loving words we have heard from our Young People with Dementia Pottery participants and their family.

Hey, my name is Elina. I am a volunteer intern at a Cambridge based charity called Arts and Minds. 

As one of my internship tasks, I had the opportunity to visit one of their projects - Younger People with Dementia Pottery class.  Seeing the laughter and joy experienced when chatting and creating clay structures together, I was immediately moved by the empowerment the workshop is bringing to participants.
Unfortunately, the class closed on the 27th of September until further funds are found. Therefore, I am asking that together we find a way to continue running the classes until April 2020, when we hope to have secured more funding.

Why should you support?
For many of participants the class is one of the few opportunities to get out of the house and connect with other people.
The project enriches the lives of people living with this chronic, degenerative disease through artistic and cultural experience and engagement. It also gives their carers a break or opportunity to join the class as well - with the cutbacks in health and social care, they are increasingly responsible for all aspects of care.
 
What do the sessions look like?
Weekly sessions take place weekly for 1.5 hours in a professional ceramic studio in central Cambridge. Sessions allow participants to show ability and enjoy success within a safe and social setting, experience handling clay and be guided and supported to make objects which are then glazed and professionally fired.

What will your support do?
Your generous donations will enable us to run the class for 8 months!
The costs consist of employing an artist who facilitates the class, and the rental fee of a professional ceramic studio.

Every donation will help. And please share the link with everyone you know and feel would be interested in supporting our mission. 
Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me, and mostly to the participants and their carers.


More information about Arts & Minds:
Arts and Minds aspires to a world where people have the confidence and self-esteem to lead fulfilling lives. They began provide high-quality creative activities for people experiencing mental ill-health (including dementia) throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Since then they have developed a national and international reputation for high-quality evidenced-based work that encourages people to develop skills, interests, and practice that helps them manage their mental health.

For more information about Arts and Minds visit http://artsandminds.org.uk/ 

More about YPwD Pottery:
Dementia is a degenerative disease and so the lack of a cure and certainty that things will only get worse and the anticipatory grief experienced can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Due to the nature of the symptoms, people with dementia are among the most vulnerable people in our society.

The YPwD Pottery programme provides a safe and therapeutic environment for participants with dementia diagnosis early in life (age typically 40-65 years) to engage in weekly creative sessions. Sessions provide meaningful and creative activity at a time of fear and uncertainty for both the individual and their close relatives/carer. The workshops are relaxed and informal and there is much joking and laughter.

Workshops help participants to generate:
·  A sensory experience through touch, colour, texture, and shape;

·  Creativity and achievement, which helps participants to regain confidence, take control of what they are doing, feel valued and appreciated;

·  Opportunities for collaboration, companionship, enjoyment – and fun.

This positively impacts participants’ days and allows their carer (often a spouse or close relative) to enjoy close and relaxed time with their loved one or some respite away from their caring role. The ability to successfully function and make objects and share activity with carers is vital at a time when “mistakes” and “inability” are increasing due to the progression of the disease.
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • £100 
    • 4 yrs
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Fundraising team (3)

Elina Bresle
Organizer
England
(Arts & Minds)Camb&Pboro FDN for Arts&Mental Health
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations eligible for Gift Aid.
Arts And Minds
Team member
Emily Bradfield
Team member

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