A new mural created by people living with dementia is officially launched on Thursday 11th July at the AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium.
The Leeds Up & Go Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP) group created the Keeping In Touch mural to highlight the importance of making connections and taking new opportunities after a life-changing dementia diagnosis.
Members draw on the support they have found in the group to rebuild their confidence and social connections, and are keen for other people affected by dementia to know that help is available. The mural shows the importance of activities such as watching sport and spending time with animals, and the friendships that help people navigate the challenges of life with dementia.
The mural is located on the ginnel between Kirkstall Lane and St Michael’s Lane (between Car Parks E and F on St Michael’s Lane). It is accessible on foot or by wheelchair but it is not possible to drive directly up to the mural due to its location on a pedestrian route.
DEEP group member Warren said: “Our intention is to show that dementia is not the end, it can be a beginning of a new chapter. We wanted the mural to celebrate things like friendship and support, getting out and about, doing things completely new to what we’ve done in the past, the power of sport to connect and help people overcome social isolation. All these things may have a positive effect on people’s dementia symptoms. Hopefully when people see the mural, it may help them, or their carers or friends, to say ‘Look at what people with dementia have done, and maybe I could do something similar.”
Leeds Up & Go DEEP group is facilitated by Leeds Playhouse and Dementia Friendly Leeds, which is part of Leeds Older People’s Forum. Both organisations are committed to finding creative ways of engaging people living with dementia in the community. Established in 2016, the group meets fortnightly at Leeds Playhouse or on Zoom to help Leeds become a more dementia friendly city. Group members share their experiences of life with dementia, guide businesses and services to include people affected by dementia and get involved in dementia research.
For the official launch the Leeds Up and Go DEEP group are joined by Leeds Rhinos Foundation CEO, Bob Bowman, and Ben Wainman from Zurich Community Trust, whose funding made the mural possible, alongside artist Griff from You Cannot Bend It Art Services who brought the group’s ideas to life.
Also joining the launch are members of Leeds Rhinos In Touch Dementia Support Group who meet on a monthly basis at the stadium to share their love of rugby, supported by Leeds City Council’s Peer Support Service for people living with dementia.