FISHGUARD’S first dementia friendly cinema experience, has been hailed a success with volunteers and audience members enjoying a special screening of Singing in the Rain as part of Dementia Action Week.

The screening was part of a partnership project between Theatr Gwaun, POINT Young Person's Trust and the Alzheimers' Society.

It is estimated that 850,000 people are living with dementia in the UK and that one in 14 people over 65 have dementia.

“POINT young people along with Theatr Gwaun volunteers and other community members have been increasing their awareness about dementia via a series of Dementia Friends training sessions conducted by the Alzheimers Society and hosted at POINT,” said Jessica Palmer, POINT’s volunteer co-ordinator.

“This has led to a partnership project where staff and volunteers from Theatr Gwaun, POINT and representative from the Alzheimers' Society ' have joined together to provide a quality arts experience for people and their carers who are living with dementia”.

The multi-agency group was very fortunate to receive funding from the Caring Communities Innovation Grant to run a series of dementia friendly cinema / theatre experiences throughout 2018-19.

The event went very well with just under 30 people attending the screening and providing positive feedback as well as lots of foot tapping and singing along.

"This was a fantastic turn out considering it was the first of its kind in Fishguard,” said Karel Mujica, Theatr Gwaun audience development manager. “We are confident that the audience level will gain in momentum for the next screening”.

Alison Leighton the Volunteers Manager at Theatr Gwaun added:

"This exciting collaboration only strengthens a fantastic volunteer team of nearly 60 people that we have at Theatr Gwaun.

“We have been looking for more young people to become involved with the theatre for some time. This project is an ideal catalyst for volunteers of all ages to work closely together, whilst providing an important social hub for the local community”.

The next friendly theatre screening is to be Calamity Jane on July 31 at 3pm. To pre-book your group or tickets contact Karel at the box office on 01348 873421. media enquiries to Karel Mujica - karelmujica@gmail.com - 01348 873421.