This Autumn, staff, volunteers and trustees from Bright Shadow have had the privilege of attending two awards ceremonies, recognising the charity’s contribution to the effective delivery of health and wellbeing services across Kent and Medway. As the only arts charity being represented at both ceremonies, we are honoured that our co-created, values-led cultural practice with and for people living with dementia and supporters is being recognised as contributing to positive mental health outcomes for all involved.
Most recently, at the end of October, Miriam Simmons (Bright Shadow Artist) Clare Thomas (Creative Director & Chief Executive) and Dawn Horne (Bright Shadow participant and newly appointed trustee), attended the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards, organised by Mind in Bexley and East Kent, where we were awarded the Disability Service Award for our work in the Folkestone and Hythe District Council area and were delighted to also receive the overall Kent Disability Champion Award 2024.
As the inspirational Dawn proves to us all, living with dementia, with all its very real challenges, should not mean your mental health and wellbeing is diminished. Yet all too often society writes off those with dementia, and fails to provide the support required for this cohort of disabled people to thrive, consigning an estimated 30-50% of all those diagnosed to also having depression.
Bright Shadow’s Zest groups, wider creative programme and advocacy work is providing a real alternative to the status quo and we are so thrilled to have had the light shone on this, and the often misunderstood experience of living with dementia.
We were incredibly uplifted to spend the evening with a packed room of such dedicated, hardworking, expert, caring individuals achieving great things for our communities.
“It’s crucial to recognise the outstanding work being done in the mental health and wellbeing. The Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards are our way of celebrating those who have been instrumental in driving progress in mental health and wellbeing across the region.” Simon Dolby, Chairman of the judging panel
In September, we were finalists in the ‘Best Use of Volunteers Charity of the Year’ category at the Kent Charity Awards.Two of our wonderful volunteers, Sahara Weeks (Picture This volunteer) & Dawn Horne (Trustee), attended with staff members Niamh Barnard (Finance and Operations Manager) and Clare Thomas (Creative Director & Chief Executive) alongside artist Liz Jennings. It was a great endorsement of all our hard work to be recognised for our inclusive approach to volunteering and the amazing role our dedicated volunteers play in supporting people living with dementia to achieve and enjoy life to their full potential.
