Dementia awareness and arts therapy event

Dementia Awareness and Arts Therapy Event

Over a hundred people attended a dementia awareness and arts therapy event at Heywood Civic Hall was supported by 33 health service providers offering information, advice and services, along with workshops including dementia friends session, monologue on dementia, the arts and science of music therapy, engaging the BME communities and carers experiences.

Bury Veterans Choir, Rochdale Carers Choir, Asian musician, henna painting, massage therapy and health checks were also available.

The workshops were led by Sue Neilson, Cancer Champion formerly Dementia co-ordinator from Oldham CCG, Kim Wrigley, Quality Improvement Programme Lead from GMLSCN, Mohammed Sarwar on engaging the BME Communities, Ash Akoumah, from Rochdale Oasis Unit, Robin Parker, Jenny Roche, hosting the event and Dr. Julian O’Kelly, a music therapy clinician from London.

The event, organised by the Multicultural Arts and Media Centre (MAMC), was attended by the Mayor Surrender Biant and the Mayoress Cecile Biant. 

Mohammed Sarwar, CEO of MAMC, said: “The event was well supported by the various services and people participated well in the workshops and asked many questions on helping people living with dementia.

“It was identified that some of the way forward was the need to communicate effectively between commissioners, services and provide necessary resources to engage people from all communities. It was felt that the need to provide music and arts is an essential component for wellbeing, social interaction and sharing experiences.

"MAMC is grateful for the project support from the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group Social Investment Fund, Awards for All, Link4Life and everyone attending the event."