BRAVE dementia sufferers in Edinburgh have opened up their lives to university students, who created documentary evidence about how people live with the disease.
Students from Edinburgh Napier’s Photography, TV and Music courses have been working with older people affected by dementia, and their carers, who attend the Eric Liddell Centre in Edinburgh for support.
The students have worked with the charity for eight weeks to lead activities with people affected by dementia and to document some of the stories of those being supported by the charity through their dementia diagnosis.
The result was powerful and touching images that documented the everyday life of people living with dementia, which went on display at the Eric Liddell Centre yesterday. Photography students Katariina Leinonen and Theodor Asoltanei spent time with couple Andy and Sheila Biggar, who attend the centre’s Lunch Break service on a weekly basis.
The service provides support and enrichment activities for people with dementia and their carers.
Alongside photo handling and speaking about the memories that are sparked by the discussion of photographs, the students documented the couple’s visit to the centre.
The photographs highlight the loving bond between the couple, along with the range of activities they take part in together during their time visiting the centre.
Edinburgh Napier TV students John Smith, Shannon McCann, Ethan Brown and Ruaraidh McKay made a documentary film about the life of an older woman affected by dementia who attends the charity for activities, nutritious lunches, friendship and support.
It features her reflections on the service she receives and its benefits.
The short video also features the music of student Chloe-Rose Hughes who, along with her fellow student Fraser Greenwood, has been visiting the centre to lead music therapy sessions with day care clients.
Hughes – who has been playing the piano since she was seven, and who wants to pursue a career in music therapy once her studies are complete – has regularly led sing-along sessions at the centre alongside other volunteering duties.
Her time with the charity has also fed into her studies as she completes her dissertation on music therapy as part of her final year with the university.
The inter-disciplinary project is one of a number of similar schemes that have been organised by Edinburgh Napier’s School of Arts and Creative Industries.
These aim to students help students gain valuable experience as part of their studies while giving something back to the wider community.
Lindsay Morgan, placement co-ordinator for Edinburgh Napier’s School of Arts and Creative Industries, said: “It has been so rewarding working with the Eric Liddell Centre to support all of these work-related learning opportunities.
“All the students involved are very talented and have used their skills to create wonderful outcomes whilst also making the process enjoyable for everyone.
“In the School of Arts and Creative Industries we value community engagement, and I hope to be able to support many more interdisciplinary projects with such wonderful results.”
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