12x free live, creative and interactive therapeutic artistic sessions online to those aged 50+ with Mental Health concerns,  -Unforgettable Experiences 

We are offering 12x free live, creative and interactive therapeutic artistic sessions online to those aged 50+ with Mental Health concerns, Mild Cognitive Impairments, Memory Concerns, mild to moderate Dementia and those with a neurological condition. 

The service was designed and developed by those with lived experience and health professionals during Covid and embodies the principles of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and arts, music, and creative writing therapies to help older adults to improve their wellbeing and maintain cognitive functioning through access to bespoke therapeutic programme of arts that is tailored to meet your patientsÂ’ individual’s needs.

Our live, creative, and interactive artistic sessions are in the disciplines of:

Arts & crafts, history & culture, music, composition & dance, creative writing, film & photography.

This service is delivered through personalised programmes with our technical support, patients can choose two artistic sessions?per week of their choice. Our service is entirely?virtual?but works closely with individuals and allocated digital IT support to the individual whilst ensuring we take a place-based approach when undertaking assessments and providing our support.

What we need from you:

• In order to carry on the important free service in your local area we will need to aim to reach a quota of a minimum of at least2x new patient referrals each from you per week if possible.
• The process is a simple as a brief intro to your patient and if they donÂ’t mind being contacted please provide me a name and a contact and we do all the restÂ…
• I can provide printed flyers for you to hand out to your patients in person, or feel free to share the digital one provided in the above attachment.

 What I will need with your patients’ consent:

Full Name, Postal Address, Phone Number and Email if they have one, naturally once they are happy to be contacted by us upon your brief conversation with them. (We aim to contact your patients within 72hrs detailing an appointment time, by email, text and post- for their initial phone consultation with me, they will also receive reminders of when this is due to take place)

 Patient Profile of who can access our service:

• Effectively any of your patients 50+who you feel would benefit from our service please let them know I will be in touch!
• Our service can be provided for them digitally at their home, or if they do not have access to digital and broadband facilities they can attend via the hub in person weekly, or depending on their preference we are totally flexible.
• For those accessing our services via their home, they will be matched with one of our digital befrienderswho will guide them through the process of logging in online.

So far, we have helped over 154 people 50+ in your community to access our services online.? An independent evaluation showed a 20% improvement in wellbeing, memory function, and quality of life to participants as well as a reduction in GP appointments and easing of pressure on those waiting for clinical memory assessments once referred.

 An update on our current programmes :

• History with Richard Asquith – January 24th 2022 – Monday and Wednesday 10am 2 Spaces Left
• Visual Art with Natasha Duggal                      – January 2022 – Tuesday and Thursday 11am 4 Spaces Left 
• Mixed Media Art with Natasha Duggal          – January 19^th 2022 – Monday and Wednesday 2pm 1 Space Left 
• Creative Writing with Gina Prat Lilly              – January 26th 2021 – Wednesday and Friday 1pm
• Story Telling with Gina Prat Lilly                     –January 2022– Tuesday and Thursday

The Wellbeing and Dementia Hub programmes :

• Mixed Media Art with Natasha Duggal          Thursday 1-2pm
• Creative Writing with Gina Prat Lilly               Tuesday 3-4pm

I can be reached on 01325 238007 or emmab@unforgettableexperiences.org.uk. referrals@unforgettableexperiences.org.uk  We will complete the registration process with those referred and ensure 1:1 support, through one of our Digital Buddies, to get set-up and logged in to the online sessions.  I’d also like to personally thank you and your team for all your continued support and efforts in referring all your wonderful patients to us, without you this would never have been possible

A word from those currently working with us:  

“We understand?that?the work?of?the?Unforgettable Experiences?team?is?of very real importance?– not only, but perhaps especially, at this difficult time – and?are doing all we can to support our clients in engaging with and benefitting from connecting and participating.?I urge you to do the same.”?

Dr Ethna Parker?Wellbeing Service Lead, Primary Healthcare Darlington

“Mental health services for older people have found Unforgettable Experiences services to be extremely responsive to patient care and staff needs with a passion for supporting people at the center of everything they do.

We were able to signpost patients to a dedicated service that helps them to maintain cognitive functioning and improves their wellbeing. Each of the artistic sessions embody the principles of personalised care and cognitive stimulation therapy and are a great way to extend that support.”

– Allison Cook, Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, Locality Manager for Older Adults Mental Health Services

Unforgettable Experiences_information leaflet