Event and film celebrate Living Well with Dementia

People living with dementia and their supporters came together with researchers and charity staff for a celebratory event of the Living Well with Dementia (LivDem) approach this summer. Attendees also generously shared their experiences of LivDem, which were captured in a film.

The LivDem approach aims to help people to adjust following a recent dementia diagnosis. It includes a group intervention and, more recently, a version for families developed by Dr Natasha Woodstoke, Professor Rik Cheston and the LivDem research team at UWE and ARC West.

The LivDem research team from the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol organised the celebration day with support from NIHR ARC West. It was held with Mindsong, a Gloucestershire charity that supports people with dementia and their families, which delivers LivDem groups.

The event brought together people who had attended a LivDem group, their supporters and facilitators from Mindsong. Twenty-three people attended for lunch and a catch-up.

Watch the film

Dr Natasha Woodstoke, LivDem researcher at UWE and ARC West, said:

“We were so pleased to be able to organise this celebration day. It was such a wonderful event, with lots of laughter all round. The resulting film is also very beautiful and moving.

“We hope the film will help people who are thinking of taking part in a LivDem intervention to feel more confident to attend. We also hope to raise awareness of LivDem to those who might like to become a facilitator.”

If you or someone you know are interested in training to facilitate a LivDem group or you would just like to learn more about LivDem, please contact livdem@uwe.ac.uk.