In this, our fifteenth year of working with communities across Kent and Medway to bring enriching arts experiences to people living with dementia and supporters, we are excited to extend and strengthen the ways in which people with dementia are involved in the running of Bright Shadow. As part of this mission, and as we continue to build upon and develop our ambitious work, we are seeking to add up to five new trustees, including at least two people living with dementia, alongside a new Chair of Trustees, to our existing board.
Below, we share a letter from our Creative Director and Chief Executive, Clare Thomas, welcoming potential trustees to Bright Shadow:
“Bright Shadow is an extraordinary organisation that I have the privilege of leading, supported by a dedicated board of trustees and an exceptional team.
We are moving into the next phase of development for the organisation, having just marked 15 years at the forefront of developing creative practice with and for people living with dementia. Those 15 years have seen our work take place in care homes, community halls, individuals’ homes, theatres, galleries and of course, online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What makes Bright Shadow special is our unwavering commitment to offering regular and consistent access to creativity for people with dementia and those who care. A dementia diagnosis, or living with memory problems, all too often means that access to creativity and cultural activities, with the well-documented, hugely positive impact that they can have, diminishes. We exist to change that.
We have always worked together with people with dementia and supporters to develop our programmes and organisation – equality is central to our ethos. We’re now extending and strengthening the ways in which people with dementia are involved, including on our board, a process we will tailor to the needs of those appointed.
Our award-winning, impactful work wouldn’t be possible without our board, who champion what we do, help set the strategic direction and secure vital income, and who are individually and collectively dedicated to harnessing the power of creativity to change lives and build brighter futures for the one in three of us who will experience dementia in our lifetime.
If this sounds like work you’re interested in supporting as a trustee, we’d love to hear from you.”
Clare Thomas, Creative Director & Chief Executive of Bright Shadow
You can find out about what being a trustee entails by watching our video explainer:
Or by reading or downloading our information pack, below:
