Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) has reached the finals of the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia-Friendly Awards 2016.
The museum is one of three finalists in the Dementia Partnership of the Year in recognition of its work with Devon Partnership NHS Trust’s Franklyn Hospital. The partnership has raised staff awareness and skill levels and generated new museum activities for people living with dementia. The museum now offers dementia-friendly tours, behind-the-scenes visits to handle museum objects, and art activities for people with dementia and carers.
Further collaboration with the public, voluntary and independent sectors - the Alzheimer’s Society, Devon & Cornwall Housing Association, Kingsteignton GP practice, the Linden Centre at Ottery St Mary Hospital, The Mede in Exeter, and West Bank Friends - has made it possible for RAMM to offer its dementia-friendly activities to people from around the region. Franklyn Hospital provides assessment and treatment for older people with mental health needs.
Exeter’s Gina Awad, Lead in the city’s Dementia Action Alliance, is also a finalist. Winning Dementia Friends Champion of the Year would be a fitting tribute to her pivotal role bringing like-minded individuals and disparate organisations together to ensure real benefits for people living with dementia in Exeter.
There are 15 categories in the England and Wales Dementia-Friendly Awards 2016. The winners will be announced on 30 November 2016 at Church House, London.
A spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Society announced “This year’s finalists have demonstrated exceptional commitment and delivered outstanding successes in bringing about positive change for people with dementia, their families and carers. All finalists should be immensely proud to be shortlisted.”
Safe and neutral, RAMM is an ideal setting for people to find a voice, learn skills and build confidence. Activities at RAMM often combine many of the five elements identified by the New Economics Foundation as crucial to wellbeing (connect, be active, keep learning, take notice, give). RAMM actively seeks funding to work with partners in many fields, including mental health, services for young people and older people, and dementia care.
RAMM’s Living Each Season dementia-friendly activities are suitable for people with mild to moderate memory problems, accompanied by a friend, relative or carer. Led by specially trained staff, and designed to be enjoyable for both people with dementia and carers, each visit begins with refreshments and ends with an illustrated information sheet to take home and carry on the conversation. Tickets for planned sessions are available online.
Thursday 13 October: Object handling
Thursday 24 November: Art making
Thursday 15 December: World Cultures gallery tour
