In September we completed the third and final stage of this year’s social licence project in Moray (Dementia Adventure in a Box). This stage included a three-day course themed around the training and sharing method widely referred to as “train the trainer” where our aim was to:

Provide our partners with the templates, resources and learning to enable them to confidently deliver a Dementia Adventure seminar (up to one hour long) called Thinking Differently about Dementia so that more people are aware of the benefits of outdoor experiences for people living with dementia and their carers.

Our partners in Moray have a wide range of differing skills, so we tailored the training to them specifically.

Dementia Adventure CEO, Neil Mapes, started by delivering a Thinking Differently about Dementia seminar using a story-telling concept of our work through the simple method of ‘why/how/what’  – ‘why’ do we exist (what problem are we solving), ‘how’ can we solve it and ‘what’ we do. The story telling method is an informal but powerful training tool that enables the listener to really engage with the story without feeling overwhelmed with information.  The group were then asked to evaluate the presentation before presenting it themselves in smaller groups. Over the first two days the group’s confidence grew considerably as they continually practiced ‘telling the story’ of Dementia Adventure, using our presentation slides as tools.

On day three the group explored how to present ‘the story’ using alternative and creative methods including the use of video and sensory learning tools such as things to hold, touch or smell.

The highlight of the training was at the end of day two, when the group presented the ‘Dementia Adventure story’ themselves.  It was clear that they all pulled together as a team, and every person in the group presented with real passion and skill.  They certainly demonstrated how far they had come in such a short time.

The group’s feedback at the end of the three days was overwhelmingly positive. Some of their comments included:

‘Brilliant training, well-paced, interesting and well worthwhile’

‘Gained confidence and useful advice on how to present a seminar’

‘Given me the confidence to pass on the knowledge to the team’

‘Fantastic training, very inspiring, delivered excellently’

Neil Mapes, said of the training, “It was great to see a wide range of local partners working well together and demonstrating real passion for the work of Dementia Adventure. It’s exciting to think that these people are now equipped to scale our work and help more people with dementia to live better lives.”

Now that the first year of the licence is complete we will be working with our partners in Moray to evaluate the year and look at renewing licences for year 2.  This will be a year of much more bespoke training, tailored to the needs of each partner organisation.

It has been a very successful and exciting project that has already achieved our vision to expand the benefits of nature based, positive-risk taking lifestyles to enable people with dementia to live better lives.

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It is our vision to expand the benefits of our approach with local and national partners. This would build on our successful experience of providing adventures for people living with dementia across the UK. Put simply, we want to facilitate the opportunity for more people living with dementia to be connected to themselves, with nature and with their communities. By developing a social licence model, Dementia Adventure in a Box, we are able to do just that.  It is a way for us to help others to do what we do to and increase the social impact of our work.

We have developed an expert and complete suite of materials to enable partners to establish dementia friendly events, training and holidays in their region.  The licence runs for a year and includes:

• Face-to-face training from highly experienced Dementia Adventure trainers
• A training pack, including training materials, resources and delegate packs
• Sensory resources
• Dementia Adventure training
• On-line members area with resources such as FAQ’s and training videos.

This innovative development in our work means we are now starting to see our vision for impact growth realised.

Dementia Adventure (the licensor) is looking for other organisations (licensees) with shared values who want work with us to grow the opportunities for outdoor activities for people with dementia.  To learn more about the licence or for more information about the services we can offer, please call Simon Thorp on 01245 237548 or email simon@dementiaadventure.co.uk