Berkshire residents living with dementia and their carers have been receiving a creative treat this month, thanks to a nationwide gesture from the Freemasons.
20,000 art therapy books have been donated to over 150 hospital wards, dementia charities and support groups across England and Wales, as part of Dementia Action Week, which finishes on Sunday 19 May.
The United Grand Lodge of England and the Masonic Charitable Foundation joined efforts to support the annual campaign for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Behind this initiative is David Barton, an Essex Freemason, who set up ‘Get Started Art’ in 2023.
David said: “It has been quite humbling to be honest but with the nationwide support of Freemasons, ‘Get Started Art’ is committed to providing assistance to those in need and, through our donations, alleviating some of the anxiety associated with these conditions.”
Art therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that involves creative pursuits. Some noticeable benefits have been stimulating memory, boosting mood and communication skills.
By supplying 20,000 Art Therapy Books, Freemasons will be helping sufferers with attention problems and improve symptoms of anxiety and apathy.
Over the last 12 months, with support from Freemasons and lodges across England and Wales, ‘Get Started Art’ has already donated 80,000 colouring books to numerous charities including Mencap, Scope, Mind, Alzheimer’s UK, Age UK and 15 NHS Trusts including Great Ormond Street Hospital, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and St Bartholowmew’s Hospital.
Danielle Neligan at East Kent Hospitals Charity said: “Thanks to the kind donation of art therapy books from ‘Get Started Art’, we have been able to support teams across our hospitals to make a real difference to the experience of patients, such as those living with dementia.”
David Martin of Westgate Healthcare added: “We are deeply grateful for this thoughtful donation of art books. These books will not only serve as sources of inspiration and enjoyment but also as tools for therapeutic expression and social interaction for our elderly community members.”
Resulting from various diseases and injuries that affect the brain, dementia is the seventh leading cause of death, affecting more than 55 million people globally. Each year nearly 10 million new cases are diagnosed worldwide, which equates to one every three seconds. It is estimated that up to three quarters of those with dementia have not received a diagnosis.
In the UK, one in 14 people aged over 65 have dementia. Although there is no cure, specialised therapy techniques can be helpful in managing symptoms and improving the quality of life.
