ADAPT – the Arts and Dementia Access Project is an arts and health programme which aims to provide opportunities for engagement and social interaction using artistic activities for individuals accessing Wakefield older people’s services.
The project has been implemented in 3 stages, introducing dance, drama, music and movement groups and arts groups within two dementia care units in Wakefield.
As part of the project, dementia friendly tours and workshops have been developed with the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP). Three tour routes have been planned within the exhibition centre and the outdoor landscape, which has been adapted to meet the needs of the service users attending.
During the workshops service users have the opportunity to discover new ways to express themselves and increase their confidence in communicating and engaging with others.
Paula Rylatt, specialist practitioner at the Trust explained, “The partnership with the YSP has been a great success and has enabled us to utilise a local venue to encourage engagement in therapeutic activity rather than in a traditional day treatment unit setting.
“The reaction of those who have already been on a tour has been really positive with feedback highlighting that it has helped them to find new ways to express themselves and boosted their confidence to communicate and engage with those around them. People have also highlighted that they enjoyed being in the outdoor space, exploring the exhibitions and meeting new people.”
