Make Sense
Kentish Town Health Centre
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.
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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
Partner 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.
These workshops have been made possible by Magic Little Grants.
