In April 2023 Bolton Cares were one of 24 organisations across Greater Manchester to be awarded a grant from Dementia United’s 2023 Big Brain Health Fund

The Big Brain Health Fund formed part of Dementia United’s strategic focus on brain health and aimed to kick start creative arts and healthy living projects for people living with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Bolton Cares provide services for people living with dementia across Bolton.

The team worked with a local school and artist to bring people living with dementia and children together for an intergenerational art project.  This project has produced artwork for the school and the day centre and included drawing portraits of each other.

This intergenerational project was recently featured in Bolton News 

The Bolton Cares team also worked with a drama academic and drama facilitator with expertise in working with dementia to focus on the inspiring and positive stories of care. Together they brought their ideas to life in a short script and the performance will be shared with other services.

Some thoughts from some of the support workers involved:

• I love day care.
• It’s such a needed service – we need to celebrate it sometimes.
• We’re here to put a smile on people’s faces.
• Best job I’ve ever had.
• Best thing I’ve ever done.
• I go home with a smile on my face.
• I love all the stories.
• Every day is special

Service managers reported that the project has “truly inspired” staff and highly recommend the Beautiful Care project as a novel training approach for staff.

Dementia United will be publishing a full evaluation of this and other projects supported by the 2023 Big Brain Health Fund later this year.