Creative Befriending: Expression, Connection and Wellbeing through Collaborative Arts Projects
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Green Room |
Sofi Mogensen
Creative Befrienders Project Manager
Resonate Arts
Summary
Resonate Arts’ award-winning Creative Befrienders is a unique volunteer programme that has been developed to meet the needs of people living with dementia who face additional health needs; who often spend long periods alone at home and who lack support. It matches a volunteer who has a creative practice or interest with a person living with dementia who also has creative interests; together they embark on creative projects at home or go out together to participate and socialise in arts groups. Meaningful collaborative projects – ranging from visual arts to music and movement – are designed to stimulate cognition, reduce loneliness and foster self-expression. The programme faces challenges, including volunteer recruitment, managing complex health needs, and maintaining engagement as dementia progresses. A structured panel discussion will explore these aspects, with case studies, quotes, and visual slides, highlighting the transformative power of creativity in enhancing the wellbeing of people living with dementia.