How creativity and craft are tackling dementia ... one stitch at a time

The napkin. A modest, practical piece of cloth that sits on your lap while you eat. It's plain, functional, unassuming. But how about looking at that napkin in a different light? What if it was a blank canvas for a work of art? What if it was an inspiration for people living with dementia?

People from all over the country have been inspired to think more of the humble napkin, by decorating them as part of a Bristol-based craft project to inspire those living with dementia. More than 120 embroidered napkins have been presented to Brunelcare's Saffron Gardens dementia care home at the culmination of the Napkin Project, which has involved generations of families sharing their sewing skills, workplace colleagues spending lunch breaks stitching, and a whole host of others using their creativity to help people with dementia.

The Napkin Project is run by Willis Newson, specialist arts and health consultants based in Bristol. The team helped develop the idea with Deirdre Nelson, artist-in-residence at Saffron Gardens, whose work there was to stimulate the creativity of people living in the new care home and to explore ideas about the meaning of "home".

What Nelson noticed was how important fabric was to the residents. Some would spend hours smoothing a napkin, touching its edges or perhaps folding and refolding it – occasionally a resident might fold one to create a purse, or a vase for a flower. She came to realise that a napkin is more than just a napkin.

At the start of the project, plain napkins were purchased and an invitation issued for people to embroider them. The project was publicised online and through social media, resulting in the creation of more than 120 napkins by individuals and groups of participants.

Donated to the care home, they instantly become a hit. Residents make a beeline for them – they hold them, stroke them, talk about the imagery on them, select a favourite and take it back to their room. Relatives, visitors and staff can use them to spark conversation and memories.

Lin Feist, manager of Saffron Gardens, said the napkins have become a tool for reminiscing: "With them all being based around the theme of home and family, the napkins can mean so many things to different people and evoke very different emotions.

"We've placed them around the home to act as conversation starters and to encourage different uses. They'll hopefully also help family members engage with their loved ones and have a focussed talking point, something which can become a lot harder when people have dementia."

The process of making the napkins by the volunteers was an important part of the project. Participants have said they've found great enjoyment and satisfaction in making and donating them, giving them time to think and reflect on the importance of creativity and memory.

"By gifting the napkins, people are helping to bring additional creativity and fun into the care home," said Nelson. "As well as making art, people have helped to create something practical for the care home. It's important also for staff to know that lots of people want to contribute, and care about their residents and the work that they're doing."

Carolyn Jowett, one of the participants, contributed a napkin inspired by an 80th birthday card she had stitched for her mother a few years before. She used images of a teapot, a fireplace, some knitting and other things she remembered from her home. She planned a conversation with her mother about these everyday items – something they could easily talk about. Sadly, Carolyn's mother died before the project was completed and Carolyn donated the napkin in memory of her.

The project has been so successful that it's being extended. And it's a testament to the power of creativity, not only as a valuable tool for reminiscing, but as something that can empower people with dementia, adding dignity and control, making them tellers of their own stories. Hopefully the project will grow to a national level, perhaps becoming used in other care homes and wider care settings, providing a valuable link with the wider community and encouraging a greater sense of connection, understanding and belonging.

Gillian Taylor is a freelance arts and culture communications specialist working with the Napkin Project

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