A large and colourful new piece of art in Boston town centre has proved to be therapeutic during its creation. For residents with dementia worked with artists to make the Memory Lane tiled mosaic now on display near the B&M shop garden area.
A large and colourful new piece of art in Boston town centre has proved to be therapeutic during its creation. For residents with dementia worked with artists to make the Memory Lane tiled mosaic now on display near the B&M shop garden area.
Although one of the inspirations for the mosaic was the archways at the railway station, many observers have been struck by the way the arched “windows” mirror the stonework at the Stump, which can be glanced at in the same view just across the river.
The mosaic is part of the Station to Stump art trail, leading from the town’s railway station to St Botolph’s Church.
It was funded with a £1,000 donation from Boston Big Local and donations from Boston Borough Council, Lincolnshire County Council and Witham Central and Carlton Road Neighbourhood Action Group.
Artists Carol Parker and Fiona Gurney worked with local people with dementia and their carers to interpret their happy memories.
The project aimed to show that life doesn’t end when dementia begins and emphasised the message that Boston Dementia Action Alliance has been spreading throughout Dementia Awareness Week.
An information stall was held in Boston Market Place to offer information about dementia and local support available. If you missed the stall, much of this information can be found at www.boston.gov.uk/dementia or by calling The Alzheimer’s Society on 01522 692681.
Yarnbombing in the town centre helped raise awareness with colourful knitted and crocheted adornments for post and hand rails near the JobCentre in Boston. They will be recycled into Dementia Twiddle Muffs.
And Memory Lane, a creative group for people with dementia and their carers, created the vibrant mosaic. Each of the smaller panels has been produced by a member of the group to reflect their thoughts, emotions or memories along their life journey. Each tile represents another piece of the puzzle in trying to recall their memories.
Each day Dementia Friends sessions have been delivered around Boston which has seen more than 50 new Dementia Friends created. Dementia Friends sessions are short information sessions to increase understanding of Dementia and inspire people to take action. If you would like to find out more, or to find your nearest session, please visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk
Some of those who helped make the artwork, including those with dementia and their carers, together with sponsors and, third from left, artist Carol Parker
