Dementia Adventure CIC
“It is important to get out into the larger world and community so you don’t get shut away.” – Client living with dementia on an outing to Westonbirt Arboretum with Dementia Adventure
Established in 2009, Dementia Adventure was set up with the objective of benefitting the community of people living with dementia, as well as enabling people with dementia, and their carers, to live well with the condition. All their activities revolve around their goal of connecting these individuals to nature and exercise.
Neil Mapes and Lucy Harding (the original founders of the organisation) had backgrounds in Dementia Advocacy and Adventure Travel respectively and came up with the initial idea for Dementia Adventure six years prior to its official launch, and Neil was CEO of the organisation for 10 years.
The services offered for clients range from local park walks held in Essex, to bespoke holidays to worldwide locations for families who have a member living with dementia. Dementia Adventure provides qualified and trained volunteers and members of staff to take care of all the different aspects of going away for these families. Supportive and positive residential experiences for people who are recently diagnosed with dementia are also provided to build capacity, as well as providing peer support, which can take them forward with a more positive outlook. Furthermore, training and consultancy services are offered to organisations that care for individuals with dementia to ensure that staff are aware of the benefits of incorporating nature much more in the daily lives of those with dementia.
The impact of Dementia Adventure is substantial. Individuals living with dementia not only sleep and eat better, but they also feel happier and have more social contact. Carers also benefit from the support gained. The hard work and effort used to obtain these results has not gone unnoticed. In 2012, the organisation was presented with the International Dementia Excellence Award, which was received in Sydney.
They also provide
Dementia Skills sessions which offers free training for people supporting somebody with dementia. Attendees can connect online with experienced dementia trainers to learn how to think differently about dementia, understand more about the condition and receive practical tips and guidance to help them in their role.
Research - their work is grounded in research. They collaborate with academic institutions and the public sector to contribute to the evidence on activity in nature and the benefits it brings to people living with dementia.
They want to extend our benefit by raising awareness of the physical, social and emotional benefits of outdoor activities and connection to nature for people living with dementia, and inspiring families, individuals and organisations to take action to shape and influence their local community.
Dementia Adventure has been a member group of Attend since 2009.
For the future, Dementia Adventure plan to offer more hands-on adventures and residential experiences.
Dementia Adventure CIC benefits from Attend membership, which includes comprehensive insurance cover. For more information, or to join, please click here.
Created 13th February 2013. Updated 2021
