Our inaugural Open Forum

In June we hosted the first in a series of Open Forum events, through which we aim to deepen our understanding of what our community wants to achieve together.

Alongside our dementia-friendly recruitment drive to appoint trustees living with dementia, our new regular Open Forum, launched in June, is designed to extend and strengthen the ways in which people living with dementia are involved in the running of Bright Shadow.

With this in mind, through our Open Forum we aim to better understand what our community wants us to focus on, to identify ways in which we can tailor and expand our offering, and to understand barriers to inclusion we may not have recognised. The results will then go on to inform our organisational strategies.

Thirteen Zest participants joined us, along with community leaders, four Bright Shadow artists, two of our astonishing young volunteers, our Creative Director, Deputy Chief Executive, and Projects Manager, and one emotional support dog.

We used Open Space Technology (OST) as our core method of data collection, as well as the power of music, visual arts and creative world, to create an open and inclusive space where people felt comfortable contributing.

This being our inaugural Open Forum, we were inspired by the ancient Roman practice of augury, or the study of natural phenomena in sacred spaces to understand the will of the gods and to divine the future. Augury’s focus on pathways to peace, good fortune and wellbeing seemed particularly apt.

These themes were elucidated by wall hangings made by artist Rebecca Elves and an opening message from Creative Director, Clare Thomas. Movement artist, director and OST expert Kristin Fredricksson opened the space, introducing the principles of OST:

• Whoever comes are the right people

• Whenever it starts is the right time

• Wherever it happens is the right place

• Whatever happens is the only thing that could have

• When it’s over it’s over

• The Law of Mobility – you’re welcome to move freely between conversations

• Be prepared to be surprised

We invited participants to shape the conversation by writing words or drawing on pieces of paper. We grouped these into four broad themes, which were explored in separate spaces, each featuring a tablecloth which could be written and drawn on as discussions flowed. Non-verbal contributions were supported by our expert artists and integrated into the conversations and the collection of responses.

Together, we went on to share lunch, featuring tea, sandwiches, a rather splendid fruit punch, and a selection of cakes.

This characteristically Bright Shadow social element of the day offered the opportunity to cement new connections made and continue to reflect on ideas that emerged and also meant everyone who had contributed on a chilly June day left feeling uplifted and appreciated.

The Open Forum enabled us to explore a wide range of contributions; from trying new areas of creative focus, to how we can centre the voices of those living with and affected by dementia in places where decisions are made. What was made powerfully clear was the importance of community and connection to those living with and affected by dementia; something we always aim to foster at Bright Shadow. All of the conversations and contributions were collated and analysed and have formed the basis for a series of Open Forums that we will be holding in 2025.

Our next Open Forum will be in Canterbury in January 2025: we’d love to see you there!