The important work undertaken by The Dementia Action Alliance is informed by people living with dementia and those that care for them. Becoming a member of the Worcestershire DAA is part of Artrix’s commitment to becoming a dementia friendly destination for visitors.

Together with Worcestershire Association of Carers and Vamos Theatre Company, invited audiences took part in a workshop at Artrix this July entitled, Sharing Joy. Sharing Joy has been especially created for those living with dementia and their carers.

Set in the 1940s and 1950s, participants met courting couples, wartime nurses, a singing dog, and even Elvis himself. With music to bring back memories and dancing join in with, Sharing Joy is playful and joyful experience that encouraged everyone to take part and to express themselves. For participants with dementia, feeling included and making real connections at events like Sharing Joy has been proven to make a positive impact on mental and physical health and can support carers in the delivery of excellent care.

And September will see Artrix play host to Vamos Theatre Company’s award-wining production of Finding Joy, a play that approaches the subject of dementia with humour and humanity.

Finding Joy has performed to audiences across Europe and the UK, including a successful run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Based in Worcester, Vamos Theatre Company is the UK’s leading full mask company, praised by audiences and the press for creating engaging and emotional performances with its wordless theatre.

Director of Artrix, Hannah Phillips, said; “At Artrix we are committed to being an inclusive venue, we believe in arts for all. We are delighted to be working with our partners Vamos on this two year project to engage people living with dementia and their carers’ as audience members and participants at Artrix.”

As a member of The DAA and in conjunction with presenting Finding Joy, Artrix is committed to training front-line staff in becoming Dementia Friends.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition. Artrix is proud to be working towards a dementia friendly visitor experience, with Staff and Volunteers who are expertly trained and confident in assisting members of the public affected by dementia, in a patient and professional manner.

Performances of Finding Joy will take place on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd September. A relaxed performance will take place on Thursday 21st at 1pm, designed for those who may benefit from watching the performance in a more relaxed environment.

Carers are entitled to a free ticket when in attendance with the person they care for (where that person is paying full/concessionary price for their ticket) by quoting carergoesfreeatartrix when booking. Where carers are attending independently and with a group of carers, they will be entitled to a 50% discount off a full price ticket by quoting carersatfindingjoy when booking.