Ellie Robinson-Carter
Sensory Trust, UK
Title: Creativity, community & connections: empowering people living with dementia through artistic practice
Biography
Biography: Ellie Robinson-Carter
Abstract
The arts provide an incredibly valuable resource through which people living with dementia can be empowered to live well: with more evidence being released about the benefits of art practice for people living with dementia - both on neurological and social levels - there is more reason than ever to delve further into its potential. Ellie Robinson-Carter has created and delivered numerous international projects which are uniquely designed to best suit people living with dementia. The projects encourage and enable individuals through person-led collaboration and co-authorship. They are of a highly professional standard, some being published and with professional exhibitions, meaning individuals are taking part in projects which empower them as artists, writers and creators. Her projects have been funded by various bodies, including the Big Lottery, Arts Council and FEAST. As is the case for all of us, people living with dementia wants to feel connected, useful and necessary to their communities and society more widely. Along with a diagnosis of dementia, established roles in their social networks are challenged and can become difficult to maintain. Art creates a safe yet exciting and rewarding space for individuals to express themselves creatively, in ways that works for them, providing participants with cognitive stimulation, experimentation, as well as reconnection to previous skills and the acquisition of new ones.