Creative Arts Sessionsfor people with dementia & memory problemsCase Studies from recent Creative sessions at British Muslim Assoc. HalifaxWe were interested in the men’s response to a creative approach and methodology - using song, poetry, music and movement. It was a busy mixed session with one very elderly gentleman, who I had met once before, and who has mid-stage Dementia (A).

Session was delivered by Myself and dance worker Natalie Speake.

I started by reading an English translation of a Pakistani poem about longing and remembering - a poem rich in emotional content about ‘home’. The poem was then translated by the center manager into Punjabi. Lots of thoughts and conversation followed, very animated and interest from the other men on the room. I then sang a very gentle melodic song, which was then translated, the men were silent throughout, very moved.

We then brought out the parachute, fun lively and energetic. The most remarkable series of events followed. A put down the parachute and started speaking very excitedly about his childhood in a small village in Mirpur and how the parachute reminded him of playing Hide and Seek. The rest of the group listened carefully to his

recollections, nodding in recognition of the scenario being painted by his memories. There was, by this time, a great deal of excitement in the room. Everyone was so animated. I then sang another song and when I had finished, before there was time to translate (A) started to sing to me, a beautiful, ‘important’ song - absolute silence in the room. When he finished I asked the Center Manager what it meant, what the translation was. He felt it was too hard to translate. I asked him to try and he said it was something about “a flower in your heart” ... I asked him if the flower was Jasmine? (this conversation was all being translated to (A) In my note book I had a translation for a Pakistani song, this is the song:

“My master has planted in my heart the Jasmine of Allah’s name ... my entire being was filled with Allah’s fragrance. May the perfect Master who planted this Jasmine in my heart be Ever Blessed ...”

This was the song he had been singing! Many of the men had tears in their eyes - they all understood the significance of this moment, and more importantly, how significant this moment was for (A).