Keep a sense of purpose
Hobbies and Dementia Craftivism
A great way to keep a sense of purpose is through not just keeping up old hobbies, but taking up new ones. Art and crafts can enable people with dementia to create, achieve and feel empowered.
On this page you will:
- hear from Frances and George (who both have dementia) about their artwork and working with art
- learn about Dementia Craftivism
- be linked to further resources
I’ve taken up new hobbies: I’ve designed and built bird boxes. I’m trying to learn new skills to occupy myself.
A person with dementia talking to our researchers
Frances and George discuss art
Frances teaches an art class for people with dementia over Zoom. George took up art over lockdown by going to Frances’s art class.
This isn’t just a conversation about painting or drawing. Frances and George reflect on:
- overcoming negative feelings about a dementia diagnosis
- how creativity opens up your life
- the many different types of art which people with dementia can do and take pleasure in
Click on the image below to watch the video.
Frances mentions the poetry collection ‘Time and Place’ in this video. On the Technology worth knowing about page you can hear Irene reading one of her poems from ‘Time and Place’.
What is Dementia Craftivism?
‘Craftivism’ combines ‘craft’ with ‘activism’. It is about using creative means to make a point. Many people with dementia are using their creativity to showcase their abilities.
For instance, the IDEAL research team collaborated with poet Ian McMillan, photographer Ian Beesley, cartoonist Tony Husband and designer Martyn Hall on ‘The Unfurlings: Banners for hope and change created by people living with dementia’.
Groups of people with dementia decided on a topic which meant a lot to them (for instance, access to train travel, or help using an ATM machine) and created a trade union banner about that topic. These banners have been displayed in exhibitions around the country.
Click here to visit The Unfurlings website.
There are many different creative activities you could get involved in. The Dementia Creatives website has galleries full of examples and ideas about how you could get involved.
Further resources
Arts 4 Dementia is a UK charity. They work with arts and heritage venues to make them dementia-friendly and to provide various arts programmes. Their website lists a range of different arts events and provides a series of resources. You can use the search function to find out what’s happening near you.
How could we improve this page? Visit the Contact us page to let us know.
Hobbies and Dementia Craftivism
You can print a paper version of this resource by clicking the button below.
