Zest at Home

“You're really there to respond to what's most needed in any individual situation. This is the kind of wonderful responsive intervention that Bright Shadow does so well...”

David Leahy, Musician and Dancer

Three women are standing around a living room table, looking at a range of fabrics with blue handmade patterns on them.image credit: Bright Shadow
A woman is sitting at her living room table, smiling at the camera. In front of her is a range of art materials and percussion instruments.image credit: Bright Shadow

Zest at Home is an offer of creative sessions in your own home, for people living with dementia in Kent and Medway who are unable to access our group Zest sessions, are isolated, experiencing a crisis or a sudden loss of communication skills.

Three people are sitting in a living room facing each other in a semi-circle. An older man and woman are looking at a younger man and are sitting behind an electric drum. The younger man is facing the couple with a tambourine in his hand.image credit: Bright Shadow

We will liaise with you about your interests, and match you to one of our professional artists.

Whether you are seeking help for your family or a professional wanting to refer someone to us, we'll work with you to deliver creative, joyful and safe sessions tailored to individual needs.

A collage featuring a man holding up artwork he has created. He is sitting down, smiling at the camera. His artwork comprises paintings of the sea and the beach, featuring lots of green and blue tones.image credit: Nova Marshall

If you have any questions about how our Zest at Home offer might work for you, a loved one, or someone you're working alongside, please take a look at our FAQs and feel free to get in touch with us via the form below. Our next round of Zest at Home sessions will take place from Summer 2024.

FAQs

Who is eligible for Bright Shadow’s Zest at Home sessions?

Anyone living with dementia in Kent and Medway who would find coming along to our weekly Zest sessions, or our short courses, difficult or who are going through a crisis or loss of communication skills.

Do you charge for Zest at Home sessions?

We fundraise to be able to offer Zest at Home on a free of charge basis. Bright Shadow is a charity, and so donations from those able to give are vital for supporting our ongoing work.

What kind of Zest at Home sessions are on offer?

We match artists to your wants and needs. Previously, we've worked with specialist artists who have delivered music, visual art, poetry, performance, and photography.

How is someone signed up to sessions?

The form on our website enables you or your loved one to self-refer to us for an initial conversation, or for a professional to refer in to us. We'll take it from there with conversations about what you're looking for, and what we can offer.

How do you decide if someone can have sessions?

We have a set of Fair Access Guidelines which we'll use to make decisions.

Can we have more than 5 sessions?

We fundraise to be able to offer these sessions, and want to ensure as many people as possible can benefit. There are circumstances in which we could offer more than one set of 5 sessions, but this is contingent on our fundraising efforts and others who want to access the opportunity, in line with our Fair Access Guidelines.

Is it safe for people to come into homes to deliver these sessions?

Bright Shadow has a robust safeguarding policy, and all artists who are engaged by us are fully DBS checked. We undertake full risk assessments of our sessions, which we are happy to share. We're confident our home sessions are safe, fun, and enjoyable.

Get signed up for Zest at Home

    I am referring...

    MyselfMy loved oneSomeone in my professional care

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    A small container with water and drops of yellow, green and blue ink that have formed a floral pattern is on a table.image credit: Nova Marshall

    What are Zest at Home sessions like?

    video credit: Perry Melius & Bright Shadow

    Taking a bespoke approach to these sessions is at the heart of our delivery, which we have honed since beginning to offer Zest at Home sessions in 2021.

    Read an artist's perspective on Zest at Home here.

    Whilst the majority of our Zest at Home sessions have been delivered on a one to one basis, we've also been able to tailor this offer for very small groups with similar creative interests; to find out more about this, please get in touch....read more

    image credit: Sarah Karen
    a man sits at a table in his living room, behind a sculpted clay abacusimage credit: Lucy Stockton-Smith

    We work closely to match artists who can deliver tailored sessions at home; depending on whether a potential beneficiary is already known to us, the timescale for matching can extend or shorten accordingly.

    Previous participants have created sculptures, made music together, made artworks together, and shared memories and experiences with artists. We'll soon be sharing reflections from artists who have delivered Zest at Home sessions; watch this space.

    Supporters have been able to spend Zest at Home sessions creatively, or where agreed, use the session time as respite.

    We're grateful to our funders who have made offering sessions possible.read less

    Zest
    Creative Programme