An innovative arts project is helping to enhance the lives of people with dementia.
Run by arts consultancy, Willis Newson, in conjunction with Brunelcare; artist, Deidre Nelson; and hundreds of volunteers, the Napkin Project raises awareness of the importance of creativity among people living with dementia and encourages volunteers to embroider and gift napkins to be used as reminiscence tools in care homes.
Lin Feist, manager of Saffron Gardens, Brunelcare’s new dementia care home in Bristol, said: “What has appealed to me most about the Napkin Project is what a fantastic reminiscence tool the napkins are. With them all being based around the theme of home and family, this can mean so many things to different people and evoke very different emotions.”
Residents make a beeline for them. They hold them, stroke them, talk about the imagery on them, select a favourite and take it back to their room. Relatives, visitors and staff also use them to spark conversation and memories
She added: “We plan to use them not only at meal times, but also have them placed around the home to act as conversation starters and to encourage different uses. Residents make a beeline for them. They hold them, stroke them, talk about the imagery on them, select a favourite and take it back to their room. Relatives, visitors and staff also use them to spark conversation and memories.”
The Napkin Project began when Nelson was working with staff and residents at the care home. She noticed how important fabric was to the residents and often saw people spending a long time smoothing a napkin, touching its edges or folding and refolding it. Sometimes someone would fold a napkin to create a vase for a flower, or make a napkin into a purse.
Nelson said: “I realised that a napkin is more than just a napkin. By gifting the napkins, people are helping to bring additional creativity and fun into the care home. As well as making art, people have helped to create something practical for the care home. It is important also for staff to know that lots of people want to contribute and care about their residents and the work that they’re doing.”
The Napkin Project is part of a larger arts programme being run by Willis Newson for the new care home. It will now be extended to other centres across the country.
