Dementia support thriving at The Roses

The Roses in Tewkesbury received grant funding of £7,455.00 from the county council, which enabled it to trial a creative and collaborative support network and programme of activities for those with Dementia and their carers in Tewkesbury. 

Activities include a monthly dementia friendly film screening and monthly memory café, both for people in the community with dementia and their carers.

The monthly memory café is run by Roses team members who have been on Dementia Awareness training. The Roses Theatre provides a warm welcoming space, for individuals to share stories, meet other over a hot drink and cake. The memory café is supported by Guideposts who provide more information on where individuals can get further information on local dementia support services.

Participants are invited to come along to film screenings at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, where they are welcomed by friendly and patient staff and volunteers. They are offered free tea or coffee and biscuits before the film. Tickets for the show are subsidised; Tickets £4 and tickets for carers £2.  Adaptions are made to the theatre to make it accessible including; using low lighting in the auditorium, not showing trailers or adverts, allowing participants to move around during the film and including an interval. Additionally, yellow signage recommended by Alzheimer’s Society, is put up to make the space more accessible for participants.

The Roses has raised awareness of the Dementia Support Alliance through events and campaigns such as ‘Use our loo’ via leaflets and social media, together with drop in advice and support for local businesses. A collaborative and inclusive programme during Dementia Action Week allowed The Roses to build on the success of the previous year. 

Theatre staff have completed dementia awareness training and some have lived experience of Dementia. Training was also offered to key staff and volunteers within the Dementia Support Alliance and across Tewkesbury to spread greater awareness of the tangible ways people can help, and to create a sustainable support network going forward.

Thanks to funding from the Thriving Communities Grant, The Roses has been able to forge stronger links between organisations, creatives, Dementia support services and medical practitioners to offer a more impact focused and cohesive programme in Tewkesbury. 

For more details please visit Home | The Roses (rosestheatre.org)