Creative Programme

“That's part of the excitement for me as an artist working with Bright Shadow: learning people's minds, understanding how I can translate into different forms for people through the lens of theatre...”

Sachi Kimura-Lawson, Theatre Practitioner

Theatre Practitioner Sachi Kimura-Lawson stands leaning on a half-height wall. She is wearing a blue t-shirt, looking upwards and smiling.image credit: Andrew Hayes-Watkins

Bright Shadow is a community of outstanding artists (dancers, musicians, writers, visual artists, circus performers, film-makers, actors and many more) and people living with or affected by dementia who explore creativity together.

A group of participants sat in a semi-circle playing a range of drums and percussion instrumentsimage credit: Bright Shadow

We co-create bespoke projects that match our talents and interests and make us feel good.

Our high quality creative process is influenced by experiences of living with dementia – it’s unique to us but anyone can join in.

A man wearing glasses is sat smiling at the camera, behind a sculpture of a kingfisher with blue, orange and white colouring he has madeimage credit: Jen Holland

Some people taking part do come with a creative talent, but many of us have never regularly engaged in arts and culture before.

By joining the vibrant Bright Shadow community we try things we never thought we'd get to do in our lifetime.

A line of people holding hands. Some are standing, some are sitting in a big hall, in front of a stage. The stage has a purple projection with white drawings of people.image credit: Andrew Hayes-Watkins

“So many people with dementia get a diagnosis with no contact and no medical support … You’re in the wilderness. For me, Bright Shadow [and their Zest Sessions] was a beacon of light in that wilderness …”

Gill Butchard, Bright Shadow Trustee

image credit: Andrew Hayes-Watkins
A man and woman wearing aprons sit at a table making items from clay. The woman is laughing with someone not in the picture.image credit: Andrew Hayes-Watkins

What Happens at Zest?

video credit: Al Reffell

Bright Shadow creates safe and supportive spaces, in people's own homes, in community settings and in care homes, where everyone's creativity can flourish.

We listen to each other's life stories, use our expertise, explore our feelings and test ideas in the here and now. We weave all of these elements into our plans, so whatever we are doing feels relevant and engaging....read more

A photo of someone creating a piece of artwork. The artist is holding a pencil and adding the shape of tall, slender trees to a purple page.image credit: Jen Holland
a man is using his phone to take an abstract photograph of a gardening glove stood up on a white table.image credit: Miriam Simmons

Nobody is pushed to try things, nor does anyone make assumptions or put limits on what other people can achieve. As a community of disabled and non-disabled people, professionals and participants, we work together, helping one another to master new skills and create vibrant new cultural content.

We've created films, photography exhibitions, poetry collections, visual art installations and dance pieces, we've performed for an audience and made work that's just for one family to treasure. We have power and beauty and we are not afraid to show it. We are known for our trademark Zest Group sessions in which we collaborate over an extended time, developing our creative skills and ideas. We also run special projects and create ways for our art and culture to be shared with a wider audience, on the terms of people living with dementia.read less

a man plays a trumpet outdoors in front of green trees on a sunny day
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A woman in a red jacket with her hood up stands on a shingle beach with a colourful sky behind her. She is taking a self-portrait.
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Two women are standing, each holding a hula hoop. The younger woman is leaning towards the older woman, and both are smiling.
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The Theoretical Basis of Zest

Impact
Zest