Dolphin Arts Project
Creatively supporting people living with dementia in Ullapool and Gairloch
Who we are and what we do
The Dolphin Arts Project runs a programme of creative activity that supports people living with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers in Ullapool and Gairloch. Arts, crafts, poetry and song are used to engage imaginations, inspire practical activity and stimulate conversations. Sessions contribute to raised confidence and self esteem and heightened feelings of wellbeing. Weekly sessions are regularly described as the highlight of everyone’s week and provide moments of much needed respite.
Everyone can get involved!
Although the visual arts and poetry inspire the group, you don’t have to be an artist to get involved. The sessions are fun, engaging and meaningful. People find pleasure in the sensory experience of using paint, drawing with a range of media and exploring a wide range of textile, print and clay processes. The sessions are about learning new skills at the same time as connecting with others and forming friendships at a time when a diagnosis of dementia can dent and undermine confidence.
What people living with a diagnosis of dementia say;
“When I paint, I forget about everything, I get immersed, I don’t think about anything else.”
“We’re all in a new environment with other people, completely away from everyday life. And you can find that many parts of your brain are still working. The activity of making art helps you forget about worrying. You’ve still got your intuition and the friendships you make in the group make you feel you are somebody again”
Respite Without Seperation
We encourage carers, family members and friends to accompany their loved one with dementia. This creates a lovely mix of people - conversation flows easily, everyone relaxes into a flow of activity and the experience of pleasure and achievement is shared and celebrated by all. Carers often value some ‘time out’ but our weekly sessions offer carers, family members and friends restorative ‘time in’!
What Carers say;
“I’ve got friends all over the place but in the last 4 years I’ve completely lost touch with them…The Dolphin Arts Project is replacing some of the life I’ve lost. Making new friendships - it’s been revolutionary.”
Volunteer with us…
Dolphin Arts Project Volunteers
The Dolphin Arts Project has a small group of volunteers who support and enrich the project in many ways. Volunteers join the group as participants. They help to model and support creative and practical activities and contribute to conversation. Volunteers also make cups of tea/coffee and help tidy up at the end of a session. Additionally, volunteers may take on the role of escort / companion which would involve them accompanying a person living with dementia to and from sessions. Volunteers are also active advocates for the project. They play an important role in reducing the stigma often associated with dementia and contribute to Ullapool and Gairloch’s ambition to become a dementia friendly community.
What Volunteers say;
“No-on puts anyone down, or defines anyone as ill or having a problem. Everyone is just who they are. You often don’t know who has dementia. There is a feeling of enjoyment. Everyone feels at one with the group. We all sit together. I just find the group so lovely. It doesn’t matter who is there. Each time the whole group holds an energy. It flows from everyone.”
“The sessions hold everyone - everyone is held by the group. I absolutely love it. My creativity takes off.The range of things we do, the space to feel free and try different materials. I feel motivated and uplifted.”
How to become a volunteer
New volunteers must attend a Dolphin Arts Project session and agree to the ‘Do’s and Dont’s’. Volunteers who are in an escort role will need to go through the Disclosure Scotland safeguarding scheme. Volunteers will all attend Dementia Friends awareness training and become a Dementia Friend.
Please contact Mhairi Muncaster at mhairi@antallasolais.org for more details.
Where and when:
Ullapool: Weekly creative activity every Thursday afternoon,1.30-3.30pm at the Community Harbour Workshop Unit 3, Mill Street, Ullapool
Gairloch: Weekly creative activity sessions every Monday morning 11am - 1pm at The GALE Centre, Achtercairn, Gairloch IV21 2BH
Weekly practical sessions also take place at Lochbroom House Care Home for residents every Wednesday afternoon 1.30-3.30pm
Dolphin Arts Project Coordinator - justine@antallasolais.org