Deeside school children become Dementia Friends in unique “Share and Share Alike” project

School children from St Ethelwolds, Shotton and Queensferry Primary schools visited Deeside Community hospital last week to gather life stories and memories from patients with dementia.

Prior to their hospital visit the pupils received “Dementia Friends” training to raise awareness of dementia as part of a unique project called “Share and Share Alike” run by Flintshire County Council and Purple Platform.

40 learners from @QueensferryCP & @StEthelwolds made new friends with dementia patients in Deeside Comm Hospital pic.twitter.com/NSEW9OdNDn

— Purple Platform (@purple_platform) March 10, 2017

Share and Share Alike is a new inter-generational project written, delivered by Jane Meakin at Purple Platform – an organisation which uses proven drama techniques to unleash creativity, boost confidence and develop presentation skills in supportive and stimulating environments.

Jane delivered workshops in effective reminiscence techniques to learners from each school.

During the hospital visit children collected patients’ life stories and memories which they will use with Jane to write and record a collection of poems.

The recordings will form a unique outdoor poetry installation in the new sensory garden at the hospital.

This project has been made possible by funding from Communities First and other partners: Flintshire County Council, Deeside Community Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Society along with the two local schools.

Following one session, Jane tweeted what one learner had written:

As a Dementia Friend, I will support people with dementia and help them with stuff that they might forget. I could make notes for them and stick them around the house, help do outdoor stuff like gardening or walking their dog. I will be patient with them.

Pupils from Queensferry CP Primary School