Marking Dementia Awareness Week at The Courtyard

6th May 2022

We are pleased to be offering a host of events to mark Dementia Awareness Week this year.

Dementia Awareness Week is a national event that sees the UK public taking action to improve the lives of people living with dementia and, this year, runs from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 May.

The Courtyard’s Spectacular Tea Dance kicks off the week on Tuesday 17 May at 2pm. This nostalgic, dementia friendly event includes tea, cakes, music and dancing. Tickets cost £4 per participant and accompanying carers go free.

A group of participants at a Christmas Spectacular Tea Dance sitting at tables, drinking tea and watching a black and white film A group of ladies dancing with fans in their hands A group of ladies at The Courtyard's Tea Dance, holding fans and posing for a photo with a pantomime dame

People living with Dementia can also join in with The Courtyard’s regular Playing Together session on Tuesday 17 May from 10.30am. Playing Together is an interactive play session for older adults and pre-school children, along with accompanying parents and carers. The lively and creative session supports participants to communicate through play activities, including music, movement, sand, puppets and visual arts. The session starts with a cup of tea and opportunity to arrive gently, before getting into full swing by 11am.

On Wednesday 18 May, Orchestra of the Swan will host their weekly Café Muse session. Café Muse is a music café for Armed Forces Veterans living with dementia.

“The Café Muse sessions have brought us peace, a myriad of memories and a huge sense of fun and enjoyment.” Says retired RAF Wing Commander Ron who accompanies his wife Norma. “We appreciate the care and attention constantly given to us. This is strongly emphasised by my wife asking at the end of each session ‘Do we really have to wait another week for their return?’”.

Friday 20 May sees the return of The Courtyard’s Dementia Friendly Screenings, with Irving Berlin’s 1948 hit Easter Parade (U). The film will be shown in The Courtyard’s new Nell Gwynne studio set up with tables and chairs. The lights will be dimmed and the sound a little quieter for a dementia friendly experience. Tickets cost £5 and include tea and biscuits. Accompanying carers can attend for free and doors will open 30 minutes prior to the film starting to allow a gentle arrival.

Three older ladies sitting on chairs, clapping and smiling Two older ladies sitting in armchairs, playing with coloured ribbons An older lady wearing a hat sitting on a chair with a baby on her lap

The Courtyard was the first arts venue in the UK to join the Dementia Action Alliance and are committed to ensuring people living with dementia and their carers feel comfortable and safe to visit, and that they feel supported to take part in things that are important to them.

All Courtyard staff receive dementia awareness training to help them understand the needs of people living with dementia. The monthly Dementia Friends Information Sessions, delivered by The Courtyard are available for the public to book onto, free of charge.

Find out more about our Dementia Friendly events

Marking Dementia Awareness Week at The Courtyard

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