SESSIONS with professional artists for people living with dementia are being launched this month.

They are being held from June 26 at Durham University’s Oriental Museum and are free.

The free and the afternoons, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, are open to people living with dementia and their carers.

The project was devised alongside the growing understanding that creativity remains intact long after other cognitive functions decline for people living with the condition.

Kate Parkin, Equal Arts’ Creative Age programme manager, said: “We’ve seen how creativity can be a fantastic way to support communication with people living with dementia and we’re delighted those living in County Durham will have the opportunity to benefit.

“The project focuses on Imagination Model.

“It explores people’s interests and being ‘in the moment’. “There’s not a wrong way to be creative and Creative Age celebrates people’s achievements and recognises their artistic abilities.”

Creative Age Durham will also be held at the Spectrum Cultural Hub in Seaham led by East Durham Creates project on Mondays from 10am to 12pm.

Charlotte Spink, access and community engagement officer at the Oriental Museum, said: “We are really excited to be part of the Creative Age project.

“Over the coming months the group will be working with a fantastic range of professional artists to help inspire creativity and imagination.

“Places are available, and anyone interested should get in touch.”

Later this year sessions will begin at Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, National Glass Centre and Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, with future sessions in 2019 planned for Newcastle.

Julia Dunn, The Bowes Museum’s education coordinator, said: “We’re really excited to be able to deliver these Creative Age artist-led sessions which will expand the opportunities we already make available to older people and those with dementia in County Durham.”

To find out more about Creative Age email kate@equalarts.org.uk or visit www.equalarts.org.uk