Equal citizens not patients: a new solution to increase understanding of the strengths and hopes of people with dementia
A researcher at the University of Southampton in collaboration with an artist at the University of Bradford have developed a brand new educational resource for raising awareness about the 820,000 [1] people in the UK currently living with dementia, including those under the age of 65.
The No Limits| Re-imagining Life with Dementia © Educational Resource aims to challenge misperceptions about people with dementia and to start conversations about the strengths and hopes of men and women with this condition.
The Educational Resource is the culmination of a pioneering two-year research study by University of Southampton senior lecturer, Dr Ruth Bartlett, on the rise of campaigning and ‘activism' amongst British people with dementia.
Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and developed in collaboration with people with dementia, the Educational Resource, which includes a short documentary film and set of postcards depicting ‘protest placards', is for any individual or group with an interest in dementia or whose role it is to educate others about people with dementia.
The Resource covers a range of topics from active citizenship, seeing dementia as a journey, to end of life and advance planning.
Mr Gardiner who has vascular dementia and has been involved in this work said: "I have felt accepted, valued, acknowledged, involved and inspired. I have been included in activities that have been empowering".
Dr Bartlett comments: "The ultimate aim of the original study was to challenge, inform and educate a wider community about the strengths and hopes of those living with dementia, including younger people. I am delighted that we are now at the point of being able to distribute this brand new educational resource amongst individuals and groups working within the community and look forward to igniting a longer-term debate on the issue."
A further resource for schools is also being developed to help teachers educate the younger generation about the issues faced by those living with dementia.
The No Limits| Reimagining Life with Dementia © Educational Resource is to be launched at a free drinks reception at Turner Sims, Highfield Campus at the University of Southampton on Thursday 6th September 2012 (5.30pm - 7.30pm).
The accompanying film, Agnes & Nancy - a short documentary film by Anne Milne, will be screened at the event and copies of the Educational Resource will be available on the evening. A trailer of the film is available to view here.
To register for the event click here. More information about No Limits | Re-imagining life with Dementia can be found at www.nolimitsdementia.com
[1] The Independent, 17.08.12, http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-the-unacknowledged-epidemic-of-our-age-8057211.html
Notes for editors
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch on Thursday 6th September.
A copy of the film's trailer and photos are available to the media. Please contact Media Relations for more details.
The University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research and scholarship across a wide range of subjects in engineering, science, social sciences, health and humanities.
With over 23,000 students, around 5000 staff, and an annual turnover well in excess of £435 million, the University of Southampton is acknowledged as one of the country's top institutions for engineering, computer science and medicine. We combine academic excellence with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to research, supporting a culture that engages and challenges students and staff in their pursuit of learning.
The University is also home to a number of world-leading research centres including the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, the Optoelectronics Research Centre, the Web Science Trust and Doctoral training Centre, the Centre for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute and is a partner of the National Oceanography Centre at the Southampton waterfront campus.
For further information contact:
Becky Attwood , Media Relations, University of Southampton, Tel: 023 8059 5457, email: r.attwood@soton.ac.uk
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