1. Setting the Scene at

2. What is Setting the Scene?
Setting the Scene is a creative, dementia-friendly programme led by Freelance Creative Facilitator Jenn Mattinson, in partnership with Theatre by the Lake.
These creative weekly workshops are designed for people living with dementia and their carers and are a blend of….

3. Conversation

4. Reminiscence (when appropriate)

5. Theatre and drama exercises

6. Singing

7. Music

8. Movement

9. Poetry and Storytelling

10. Crafts

11. And much much more!

12. How it all started…. 3 days training Sept 2014
6 week pilot project Oct 2014
Developing a relationship with Amy’s Care
New participants arrive through word of mouth, our weekly column in the local paper, Theatre by the Lake’s customer base

13. Finding pots of funding…
Core Funders:

14. Adaptability of Setting the Scene ‘model’
At one time we were running workshops in Keswick, Carlisle and Workington

15. Core ideology: A safe, understanding, accepting environment
Focus on creative wellbeing
Person centred
Making the arts accessible
Sessions are playful but not childish
Focus on both participant and carers
Work with what people can do, rather than what they have lost
Choice

16. And if nothing else…
Smile
Laugh
Be happy
Be safe

17. What to expect:
We always begin the sessions with lots of tea, cake and conversation and usually have a theme, adapted to suit group needs and inspired by the people who attend.
Our weekly activities are playful, but not childish and give each individual the chance to be involved in as much or as little as they like, depending on how they might feel that day.

18. Some of our themes: A Very Royal Affair

19. Around the World

20. Love and Marriage For the ladies… Wake up…
Wake up…
Have a cup of tea then a cup of champagne…
Think once…
Have a shower…
Phone your bridesmaid…
Put your wedding dress on…
For the men…
Go to the pub, pull a pint and sup a pint…
Drink a strong black coffee…
Think twice…
Put your top hat on…
Put your tie and suit on…and teeth in

21. Adventure

22. We’re off to the Circus!

23. Photography

24. Let’s give it a go!

25. You’re all invited!
Setting the Scene sessions are free to attend, and take place on Thursday mornings at Theatre by the Lake 11am-12.30pm. For more details contact Mary Elliott at Theatre by the Lake ( ).

26. What next?
In search of validation….

27. The Research Project
An example of partnerships deriving from ‘town and gown’ events and conferences
An ESRC-funded CASE Studentship between Theatre by the Lake (Mary Elliott) and Lancaster University (Professor Christine Milligan and Professor Emma Rose)
Occasional visits since October 2016
Pilot research July-September 2018
Main Fieldwork from October 2018

28. Research Question
“What are the health and wellbeing benefits of engaging in participatory arts activities for both people living with dementia and their carers?”

29. Methodology Act Observe Reflect Plan
Participatory Action Research with mixed methods:
“…involves participants and researchers in collaborative processes for generating knowledge” and social transformation, emphasising knowledge and action (Kindon, Pain and Kesby, 2007: 14).
Act
Observe
Reflect
Plan

30. Data Collection Methods
Participant observation
Note-taking + diary entries
Photography
Video
Ethnographic interviews
Dyadic interviews
Action learning groups

31. Theoretical Framework
Therapeutic Landscapes PERMA Model of Wellbeing
Natural/ geophysical
Meaning
Positive Emotion
Accomplishment or Achievement
Engagement
Relationships
Built/ anthropogenic
Social/
relational
Individual/ belief-oriented

32. Participant thoughts so far… Sample 1: carer
“We tried the Setting the Scene, and I looked upon it as something that I could take [my partner] to and then grab an hour’s walk and come back and pick them up. Then I realised, I was missing too much, that I shouldn’t be leaving her, I should be participating with her…they’ve had people come and gone, some really nice nice people with sensitive humour but for whatever reason they can’t come anymore…there’s a constantly changing clientele really, if that’s the right word. But they [facilitators] do think very carefully, and they dress up as well! And it’s lovely…it’s lovely to come through the door and think ‘what is the theme for today’.”

33. Participant thoughts so far… Mixed samples
“It’s so interesting connecting with all the ways of being, of us all, however we are. I just find it fascinating… and then the laughter and the spontaneity of it…”
“I want to be free… it has helped me to understand how we all react to each other in different ways, so it’s been very moving actually, to join in.”
“I’m looking forward to this [points to everybody] again”.
“It’s the highlight of my week…”

34. Thank you for your time today
Presenter: Meghánn Ward
PhD Student in Division of Health Research at Lancaster University, UK
Address:
Supervised by:
Prof. Christine Milligan (Co-Director of the Lancaster University Centre for Ageing Research)
Prof. Emma Rose (Lancaster Institute of Contemporary Arts)
Mary Elliott (Front of House Manager, Theatre by the Lake)