We’re fresh from our first activity of the year, the successful Creative Care Expo in Maidstone, where practical experience confirmed once again that arts and culture play a significant part in wellbeing.

Over 120 people visited the event, hosted by the Cultural Arm of the Kent Dementia Action Alliance. Arts organisations and practitioners from across Kent came together in County Hall, Maidstone, to show visitors from care homes, the NHS, local councils and other care providers, the many and varied ways in which they engage older people and those living with dementia in art and creative activities.

Taster sessions took place throughout the day, covering everything from dance to reminiscence, alongside presentations and a fashion show with accessible clothing for those who find buttons and fastenings a challenge.

We led two Reminiscence sessions, building on our Memory Box project, and were delighted to welcome 20 people across both.

With the intention of putting together a sample of the stories, I recorded both sessions – and found I couldn’t possibly delete any of them!

Therefore, we have two audio/slideshows to share with you – enjoy!

Elsewhere, we have news also of a brand new sensory walk for people living with dementia and their carers, a special church service and Rochester’s Memory Cafe and Carers’ Support Group.

• The sensory walk is in Mote Park, Maidstone and is endorsed by both Lorraine Brown and Wayne Eason from the Medway Dementia Action Alliance. Read more here.

• South Gillingham Parish now offers a popular monthly service for people with dementia at St Matthew’s, Drewery Drive, Wigmore, from 2.30 pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month.  After the service there is time for refreshments and conversation.  Do you know people who used to attend church and struggle now with regular Sunday morning services? Pass it on.

• Rochester Parish has established a popular Dementia Memory Café which is held at St Peter’s Church on Delce Road on the fourth Friday of the month from 1.30 to 3.30 pm.  They have also recently launched a carers support group on the third Tuesday of each month from 10am to 12 noon in the same venue.

We’ll be taking a Turtle Moves version of the Memory Box to the Rochester Memory Cafe on Friday, April 28 – Sir Terry Pratchett’s birthday. If you are affected by, or know someone living with dementia, do come along and say hello.