The arts is set to improve the quality of life for people with dementia in Dorset - thanks in part to a Bridport artist whose work hit the national headlines in 2009.


Cleo Evans ruffled a few church feathers when she came up with the idea of bell ringers performing John Lennon’s Imagine in Liverpool Cathedral when she was an arts officer for Dorset County Council.


She is now arts and environment lead at The Arts Development Company which is aiming to put on a host of arts activities for people with mild to moderate dementia.


Creative pursuits have an especially vital role to play for people with dementia, says a major arts, health and wellbeing Parliamentary inquiry.


The report, ‘Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing’, discusses how activities such as dancing, painting or music can boost brain function, potentially helping to delay the onset of dementia.

It also considers how arts can help memory recall in people with dementia. There is a move in dementia care to focus less on memory and more on improving quality of life for people who have dementia and for their carers.


The Arts Development Company project begins this September in the Lyme Regis and Beaminster areas before moving on to cover the rest of the county. 


The three-year project will offer music making, working a potter’s wheel, walking and drawing large-scale paintings, stone carving, singing to the sea and dance, plus other opportunities.


Local artists, craftspeople, singers and musicians will be running the sessions. 


Those involved include artist Sarah Hough from Piddletrenthide, music leaders from B Sharp in Lyme Regis, Bridport artist Kim Squirrell, Fennella Stride and Miles Bell from New House Pottery in Broadoak, and Lyme Regis photographer Maisie Hill. 


Up to 12 people with dementia and their carers will participate in each session.


Called Stepping Into Nature, the programme is funded by the Big Lottery and led by the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The aim is to help improve the health and wellbeing of people with dementia and their carers, and reduce their social isolation and loneliness.


Cleo said: “As this report proves, creativity and nature help with the well-being of people with dementia. 


“Stepping Into Nature offers an opportunity to experiment with different art forms. It’s about improving quality of life by having fun and trying new things.”


Her bell ringing project was originally conceived for St Mary’s Church in Bridport as part of Countertext 09 – a series of arts installations for Bridport Literature Festival.