In September, the Arts for Health artist team gathered for a day or learning at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre. Facilitated by Sarah Cairns, the day provided training for both our newer and more experienced artist team members.
Part One
The morning session, Dementia Training & Communication Skills, provided an introduction to working with people with dementia for artists who have recently joined the team, or anyone who wanted to refresh their learning. The workshop covered topics like understanding the different types of Dementia, and why it is helpful to know them. Sarah also spoke to the group about communication techniques. The group discussed what works well, what to avoid, and how to communicate using more than just your words.
Parts Two & Three
After lunch, Arts for Health team members attended Exploring Working with Different Cognitive and Physical Abilities and Deepening the Artists Experiential Learning. Two artists from Saolta Arts’ MendingHeArts Project also joined the session, continuing our year-long learning exchange. The afternoon workshop focused on session structure, creating a safe environment, and fostering meaningful inclusion. In addition, it offered artists the opportunity to discuss scenarios from their own work.
Arts for Health musician, Ecki Krupp, said, ‘I found the workshop particularly good as a group experience which is normally tricky for me but it was really good to work with my colleagues on the questions we were presented with.’
While Deborah Roldan, Mending HeArts Project, wrote, ‘We were delighted to take part in the recent dementia training workshop delivered by Sarah Cairns. It was inspiring to meet so many dedicated artists to discuss shared challenges and motivations in the field of arts and health. We’re very grateful for the opportunity to connect, network, and learn from each other’s experiences and approaches.’
About the facilitator
Sarah Cairns has been working with people with dementia for over 25 years as an Activities Director. She holds a masters in Dementia Studies, and a diploma in Older People in Dance and Person-Centred Dementia Care. Since 2007, she has worked nationally as a Dementia and Communication Educator and Training Consultant. For the past ten years she has sat on the steering committee of the Arts for Health Partnership Programme in West Cork. As part of this, she also acts as dementia advisor and co-facilitator on Uillinn’s In the Picture programme. In the Picture invites people living with dementia to experience art and culture within a gallery setting. Sarah is particularly interested in finding ways to support residents to achieve agency, empowerment, connection and belonging, through culture, meaning-making and creative activities.