RAMM’s Living Each Season Living Each Season dementia-friendly activities are inspired by a groundbreaking programme at the Museum of Modern Art in New York which focuses on living in the moment. The RAMM sessions use its treasure trove of objects to provoke thoughts and spark conversations, whether it’s touching a 1,600-year-old Roman tile, standing next to a totem pole, taking a long look at a painting of Dartmoor, or making tropical butterflies.
Small friendly groups are lead by specially-trained staff and people with dementia and carers who tested and help create the programme said that they left behind their daily concerns, had a great time and went home with something new to talk about.
The session on Wednesday 21 October offers the opportunity to touch and talk about objects from RAMM’s handling collections on a seasonal theme, such as trees in art, wood carvings from around the world, and artifacts reflecting autumnal colours. This is followed by an autumnal art-making workshop on Thursday 26 November and, on Thursday 10 December, a tour of Whatever the Weather, an exhibition reflecting on how the elements have shaped our environment and our imagination.
Starting at 10:30am with refreshments and lasting no more than two hours, the sessions are suitable for people with mild to moderate memory problems. Illustrated take-home information sheets help conversations continue into the days following the visit.
Tickets cost £15 per couple and are available online or from the museum reception in person or by phone using a credit or debit card on 01392 265858 during opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Limited, free taster tickets are available and, thanks to the Norman Family Charitable Trust, assistance with travel costs can be offered to people living with an hour from Exeter. Requirements should be mentioned when booking.
RAMM’s dementia-friendly Living Each Season activities were developed with support from the Alzheimers Society, the NHS and Innovations in Dementia. RAMM is a member of the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance.
