AN ESSEX organisation is helping donate thousands of therapeutic books for an annual awareness week about dementia.
Essex Freemasons will help donate 20,000 art therapy colouring books in aid of Dementia Action Week which takes place later this month.
Organised by charity Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Action Week will take place from May 13 to May 19, and its aim is to spread awareness about the condition.
Dementia is an illness associated with an ongoing decline of a person’s brain functions.
The symptoms may include memory loss, thinking speed, mental sharpness, language, understanding, judgement, mood and movement, and those affected can struggle doing daily activities.
The art therapy books are being donated to 150 hospital wards, dementia charities, support groups, and 17 care homes run by RMBI Care Co, the Peabody Trust, Runwood Homes, Westgate Healthcare and B&M Care.
Braintree-based Essex Dementia Care has also received three boxes of the books.
An Essex Freemasons spokesman said: "By supplying 20,000 art therapy books, the freemasons will be helping sufferers engage attention and improve symptoms of anxiety and apathy.
“Art therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that involves creative pursuits.
“Some noticeable benefits have been stimulating memory, boosting mood and communication skills.”
In October last year, Essex Freemasons donated £6,000 to kick-start the project in collaboration with the charity Get Started Art and six Masonic lodges.
Over the last six months with support by Freemasons and lodges in over 20 masonic provinces, Get Started Art has already donated 80,000 colouring books to numerous charities.
David Barton, from Gert Started Art, said: “It has been quite humbling to be honest, but with the nationwide support of Freemasons, Get Started Art is committed to providing assistance to those in need and, through our donations, alleviating some of the anxiety associated with these conditions.”
The colouring books feature many different 'mandalas' - Indian-inspired circular patterns and designs.
Mandalas have often been used for mindfulness and can help stimulate brain activity and improve fine motor skills.
Sharon Jones, care manager for Essex Dementia Care, said “We are very grateful to David Barton and the team from Get Started Art.
"They dropped us off three boxes of their beautiful second edition colouring books for all our clients at our activity centres in Braintree and Chelmsford.
"It is a wonderful gesture in support of Dementia Action Week."
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