Council Arts Service honoured for its creative dementia project

Samuel West, star of stage and screen took centre stage at a presentation of a prestigious award given to the Council.

The actor, who is the chair of the National Campaign for the Arts' (NCA) presented a Heart For The Arts Award to the Council, named Best Local Authority Arts Project Encouraging Community Cohesion for its Lost in Art project.

Lost in Art is a visual arts project for people living with dementia and their carers. The aim of the project is to explore the role of visual arts in addressing issues that can affect people with dementia, including social isolation, confidence, communication and quality of life.

The project, created by the Arts Service, was developed with the support of the Arts Council of Wales and the Dementia Services Development Centre at Bangor University and its Dementia and Imagination research project.  There are two groups running in Denbighshire at present one in Rhyl and the other at the Ruthin Craft Centre.

Samuel, whose parents are well-known actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales has personal experience of dementia.  His mother has been diagnosed with the condition.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence said:  “We are delighted to be picking up this honour, which recognises the tremendous amount of work going on in this worthwhile project.

“Research has shown that taking part in creative project can improve mood and confidence and an increased sense of belonging to a community for those taking part.

“The intergenerational element with local schools is also a wonderful addition. To Lost in Arts and those who take part take great pride in making a real difference to the quality of life for people with dementia.

“I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful work of the Arts Service and the Lost in Art team who have devised a project that has proven health benefits for participants.“