Heritage, Health and Wellbeing in Wales Conference – Dementia

in Amgueddfa Cymru, Arts Health and Wellbeing, Community Project, Dementia, evaluation on

Heritage, Health and Wellbeing in Wales Conference – Dementia

Attending the Heritage, Health and Wellbeing in Wales conference at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth was a valuable and very insightful learning experience. The conference was organised by Amgueddfa Cymru’s Dementia Team, and supported by Alzheimer’s Society and the Community Fund.

Vision Fountain, attended the first day of the conference, which provided an opportunity to meet new people and make connections across heritage, culture and academia who work in the health and well-being space, especially dementia. It was encouraging to see how organisations are working together to support people living with dementia and learn about new methods of evaluation (with Karen Gray and Tim Senior of Supersum.works – Bristol Uni) as well as the power of photo, objects and place in retrieving memories.

Karen Gray of supersum.works at the Arts Health and Wellbeing Conference.
Debbie Williams (2ndL) living with Dementia – Arts Health and Wellbeing Conference

The speakers and workshops were informative and insightful.  The most moving moments  came from hearing Debbie Williams share her personal experience of living with dementia. She spoke openly about the many challenges she has faced since her diagnosis, and about the importance of support groups and organisations in helping her face those challenges with dignity.

Evaluation methods – Amgueddfa Cymru – Arts Health and Wellbeing Conference
Amgueddfa Cymru s Arts Health and Wellbeing Conference at National Library of Wales.

It was a memorable day that reinforced not only the importance of support for people affected by dementia, but also the need for greater understanding and awareness of the realities people face adn assessing the value of experience provided to people with dementia.

Huge thank you to the team from Amgueddfa Cymru, esp Gareth Rees, for inviting us along and Community Fund who sponsored the MIMs Dementia project and conference.

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Cynhadledd Treftadaeth, Iechyd a Lles yng Nghymru – Dementia

Roedd mynychu’r gynhadledd Treftadaeth, Iechyd a Lles yng Nghymru yn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru yn Aberystwyth yn brofiad gwerthfawr a phryfoclyd. Trefnwyd y gynhadledd gan Amgueddfa Cymru gyda chefnogaeth Alzheimer’s Society a’r Gronfa Gymunedol.

Fe wnaethom fynychu diwrnod cyntaf y gynhadledd, a roddodd gyfle i gwrdd â phobl newydd a chreu cysylltiadau ar draws y sectorau treftadaeth, diwylliant ac iechyd. Roedd yn galonogol gweld sut mae sefydliadau’n cydweithio i gefnogi pobl sy’n byw gyda dementia.

Roedd y siaradwyr a’r gweithdai yn addysgiadol ac yn llawn mewnwelediad, ond un o’r eiliadau mwyaf teimladwy oedd clywed Debbie yn rhannu ei phrofiad personol o fyw gyda dementia. Siaradodd yn agored am y nifer o heriau y mae wedi’u hwynebu ers cael ei diagnosis, ac am bwysigrwydd grwpiau cymorth a sefydliadau wrth ei helpu i wynebu’r heriau hynny gyda urddas.

Roedd yn ddiwrnod cofiadwy a bwysleisiodd nid yn unig bwysigrwydd cefnogi pobl sy’n cael eu heffeithio gan ddementia, ond hefyd yr angen am fwy o ddealltwriaeth ac ymwybyddiaeth o’r realiti y mae pobl yn ei wynebu.