KMPT volunteers support Pix to Flix’s Innovations in Dementia

KMPT volunteers have been an integral part of an important new project giving people living with dementia in East Kent the chance to tell their stories on film. The Pix to Flix project, led by filmmaker Jasper Bouverie and creative writer Liz Jennings was screened on April 20th at Thanington Resource Centre in Canterbury.

Each film is based around a selection of photographs that celebrate and value the many stories people want to share. From the romantic, to the hilarious, and sometimes sad in recognition that tough times do come, and hope and love are worth fighting for.

The Pix to Flix project is the brainchild of Jasper Bouverie, managing director of Funder Films CIC, a company which uses film to raise social and environmental awareness, and was funded by the Age UK Innovation Fund.

“Everyone has a story to tell,” says Jasper, “Some people will focus on just a particular holiday that they went on. Some will take a more epic approach, condensing several years into just a few minutes.”

This project, financed by Kent County Council and the Innovation Fund supported by Age UK, aims to help people living with dementia lead fulfilling lives through innovative creative and arts projects.

KMPT volunteers Linda Milton, Adam Reid, Kearney Harding, Lara Stembridge and Sahara Weeks have all supported this project to turn it into a reality. Some participants were from the KMPT service user group known as The Forget-Me-Nots, while others were from Ashford Phoenix group.

It took some participants on unexpected journeys, as one participant says: “When I started it took me back to my past, and I relived things. It helped me decide that I would look for closure, and making the film actually gave me a closure I’ve never had. Looking through family photographs I’ve now become interested in family medals, and this course has made me want to know more about my family history, which is an interesting side effect.”

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their emotion at witnessing the powerful narratives captured on screen. Family members shared their thoughts, with one saying, "I just watched dad's video... what a lovely film. I haven't seen him talk that much in ages... it made me cry."

Dementia Action Week is a national event that sees the UK public taking action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. Clare Streeter, Dementia Empowerment and Engagement Co-Ordinator at KMPT said: “I encourage everyone to watch and share these films as a symbol of living well with dementia and as an opportunity to celebrate the stories and social history of Older People.

“Thank you to all the participants of this project, their family and friends, Jasper and Liz and all the wonderful volunteers who gave their time, commitment and their support above and beyond what is expected of them.”

Jasper has embarked on the second phase of the project in Hythe and Funder Films will be applying for funding to carry out more Pix to Flix sessions and ideally take the project to other communities in Kent.

Watch the films on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvu7LgCL6G1n0DA6iGoBraw