Through Local Giving’s ‘Magic Little Grants’, we funded four ‘Make Sense’ workshops for 12 participants at Kentish Town Health Centre, part of the James Wigg GP Practice.
Having spent the previous few weeks exploring three-dimensional art, this series focused on printmaking techniques like paper marbling, foam block printing, stenciling symbols, and nature printing. The workshops were characterized by vibrant colors achieved through fluorescent dyes and inks. During the symbol-making workshop, we engaged in fascinating conversations sparked by the diverse cultures and four different religions represented among the participants.
With these challenges being varied and sometimes complex, Engage Here finds bespoke solutions to deliver workshops free at the point of use, in community settings that make sense for people using them. The facilitators who deliver our workshops have experience working with lots of different kinds of vulnerable people, but importantly are practicing creatives themselves, who deliver workshops with the mentality that there is no expected outcome. They instead strive to foster an enjoyable and safe art practice, that is repeatable and inspiring for participants beyond their time with us.
“
Being involved in creative expression at the James Wigg has been beneficial for Raj. It is well organised with good energy. Melissa is attentive and helpful. And is great at working through the process and progression of Raj’s dementia. People engage, move, share and laugh.”
Ewa, carer of Raj
Nature printing allowed the group to connect with the James Wigg GP practice garden at the end of summer. This highly sensory activity involved touching, smelling, and ultimately creating prints of the plants, providing strong visual stimulation. The intricate details revealed through printing the leaves' surfaces always amaze us.
We were delighted to see regular involvement from carers and companions throughout these sessions. They not only facilitated communication with participants living with dementia but also engaged in the creative activities themselves. This participation offers two key benefits: creative expression and potential dementia prevention. Many carers are over 50 and approaching an age of increased vulnerability. Sensory stimulation through unfamiliar activities creates new neural pathways, potentially slowing the effects of early onset dementia.
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