Dementia Adventure secured £14,980 funding from the Henry Sale Foundation towards ‘Thinking Differently about Dementia’ Skills Sessions in February 2020.
The arrival of Covid-19 fast-forwarded adaptation into online events which enabled delivery to many more events and reach more people. The programme of 40 online Dementia Skills Sessions reached over 600 attendees, many of whom had had minimal or no contact with other support services previously and felt unsupported.
The feedback has been incredibly positive. One person told Dementia Adventure that it was "the best resource on dementia that I have come across".
The sessions increased knowledge and understanding, built confidence and reduced isolation. Attendees left sessions feeling better able to cope with their situation. Lockdown has disproportionately affected people living with dementia and their families. Many have lost their confidence and will need encouragement and support as we emerge into some kind of new ‘normal’.
Dementia Adventure have planned a programme of 60 Dementia Skills Sessions for 2021. The ethos of supporting people with dementia to access the benefits of engaging with nature remains very closely aligned to the principles of the Henry Sale Foundation.