Our Mission
We provide an overview of our principles of practice, ethos, and mission statement in this section of our website.
‘Enhancing the quality of life of people affected by dementia through creative therapeutic arts health practices’
Passionate about making a difference
In our mission statement, we express our passion for enhancing the lives of people living with dementia by improving their mood, outlook, interests, and social engagement. Dementia may also affect family members and caregivers due to the anxiety it can cause. Thus, we include the word ‘affected’ in our statement. Dementia still affects people without a diagnosis of dementia since the anxiety and emotions of the person they care for can be passed on to them. Arts instead of Art is used for the primary reason that we are open to exploring new creative approaches that can meet the goal of making a difference in the lives of those with dementia
We strive to improve communities through quality and meaningful activities.
Our Principles Outlined
To be aware and attentive to the essence and presence of a person.
To ensure/enhance the safety and wellbeing of those with dementia, their carers, and practice facilitators.
To engender value and experience in holding conversations with people who experience dementia.
To develop the creativity and creativity skills of participants, facilitators and care staff.
To make informed quality assured evaluations of My Colourful Memories and thereby benefit from quality enhancements.
Outline of our Ethos
My Colourful Memories’ ethos is to support people who live with dementia. Support for people living with dementia includes people diagnosed with dementia and carers, families, care home visitors, and health care professionals. My Colourful Memories contributes by offering activity-based care to enhance Quality-Life (QoL). Individuals are engaged in their present circumstances, as they are now. As dementia advances, participants will likely reflect/draw more upon their past. Early memories and new memories are commonly affected in the early stages.
As a result, childhood memories or long-term memories are more likely to be retained for longer since the memories have been processed and remembered over time. Our practice does not confine itself to the past; therefore, we don’t fall under the umbrella of “reminiscence therapy.” Rather than focusing exclusively on the past, we support individuals in the here and now and their continued becoming. Our work is not time-limited; instead, it is an ongoing process based on creativity and conversation.
Why do people living with dementia need our creative interventions now more than ever?
The number of people attending a memory service increased by 682% between 2008/09 and 2014 (202 people to 1,579 people).
Memory clinics or services can be accessed by the NHS or privately by multidisciplinary teams. In addition to diagnosing and treating dementia, these clinics may refer patients to therapeutic services such as My Colourful Memories CIC through social prescribing initiatives.
In the UK, one in fourteen people has dementia.
Research UK reported in January 2022 that 944,000 people lived with dementia in the United Kingdom. The article adds that the number of people living with dementia in the United Kingdom will increase over several decades. An increase in life expectancy contributes to the projected growth because age is the most significant risk factor for dementia.
There is no cure for dementia; patients are prescribed medications to reduce, but not stop, the progression of the illness. Scientists continue to face challenges in the fight against dementia, but there is no cure as of now. Therefore, the goal of our treatment is to reduce symptoms, anxiety, and stress caused by the disease. Our therapeutic approaches strive to promote independence, social inclusion, and communication in a person with dementia.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Here are some of our news stories
Tesco Centenary “Bags of Help”
The Tesco Centenary “Bags of Help” program selected our project from hundreds of applications received from community groups, nonprofit organisations, and leading charities.
It is amazing that our name will appear at every Tesco store in Lancashire. From July 2019, customers will be able to vote for us at Teco stores across Lancashire. Our organisation won an award of £10,000. The award will enable us to implement a training program in Lancashire.
Hyndburn Business Awards
We were delighted to be invited to attend the Hyndburn Business Awards after being nominated by the community. As a first-time nominee, we didn’t expect to win. However, we succeeded and won the creative business category, which was fantastic. The award highlights our contribution to the community, which we consider to be a reward in itself. Knowing that people support our efforts in the community gives us great strength to keep going. Thank you, Hyndburn.
The benefits of art for people with dementia
A local teacher whose daughter, nine years old, nominated her school to raise funds for our community group contacted us during the summer of 2019. Poppy wrote an inspirational letter to her school’s council about why she and her classmates should raise funds for “My Colourful Memories CIC”. Pupils were encouraged to nominate local non-profits that serve their communities. There were three categories the school should fundraise for – local, national, and global.