The positive impact of the arts on people with dementia is being showcased at Berkeley House care home in Hull.
Thanks to its strong community links, managers at the home were able to approach design manager and graphics teacher of Wilberforce college, Roger Waites, who as a result challenged 12 of his second year students to put forward ideas for artwork that would help residents with dementia to remember the area in which they live.
Manager, Anne Bond, said: “We first contacted the college, which is just down the road, last year to see if anyone would be interested in working with us.
“We wanted to design a large piece of artwork which would help some of our residents who have dementia to remember the city in the 1960s.”
As a result, Berkeley House residents can now enjoy reminiscing about Hull as it was in the 1960s, thanks to a 5ft-by-14ft piece by student, Reece Parson.
Waites said of the project: “Working with real clients is really beneficial for students as it gives them an idea of what’s expected in the commercial design world. We’re pleased to build projects like this into courses if we can.”
Parsons added: “For me, the mural project was an exciting and huge challenge. Not only because I have never experienced working on such a large scale, but also because of the thought behind it.
“I admired the idea that the mural could benefit people with dementia by helping to bring back memories. It has been great to add my own signature and style to this painting. It has also been a great experience and a pleasure to know that my work will help others.”