Mindart in Action
Aotearoa New Zealand
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“As a MindArt facilitator at each session, I saw each person connect with nature and their senses - sound, sight, touch, smell, music and movement. People opened up, relaxed. Different parts of their minds and souls were stimulated. People connected with each other too.”
“As a Dementia advisor, I saw people’s mindsets change over the sessions. People became less focussed on trying to make a specific artwork and more able to accept they couldn’t control everything. People started “going with the flow”. People were sometimes surprised at their creativity, discovering they could do things in original ways and enjoyed releasing control for part of their week. An essential approach for people supporting family members who have dementia.”
Tina Carter, Dementia Advisor, Dementia Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
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“I have seen such a change in the participants from the start to the end of MinDArT. Now I see an ability for the participants to focus and relax with ease, and let themselves get lost in their art, without the stress of trying to make something look ‘perfect’. Everyone tells me how much they enjoy the sessions, and how grateful they are to be a part of the MinDArT space , it is a calm relaxing space for them, where I actively work on creating a space that is wholly accessible to them, without them having other miss out on any of the opportunities that MinDArT offers. I watch them enter each session excited to be there, and get to the end and not want to leave, I have also watch so many new relationships establish, and connections being built that I believe will last outside the programme as well. It has truly been a wonderful experience getting to provide an accessible relaxing space for each member of MinDArT.”
Nikita Smith, Speech-Language Therapist, Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand
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“As a MinDArt evaluator I have heard (and seen) the positive effects of the programme beyond the formal measures. The satisfaction of achieving something new, alongside and with others. The unsaid knowing of each other’s challenges, and unsaid support of each other”
Emma Fromings, Health Improvement Practitioner, Mental Health Service Lead Kapiti, Tū Ora Compass Health, Aotearoa New Zealand
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“I enjoy it every time I come, it’s my comfort, when life has its ups and downs”
“This is my space where I come to relax, and do something for me”
“I enjoy not only getting to watch my art come to life, but others’ artwork as well”
“I am so grateful to have had my stroke.. without it I would not have had so many opportunities, including MinDArT.”
“It’s changed the way I look at nature, I see lines, and circles and all shapes now!”
"Can we.. start the session a bit earlier? So that if we’ve got something like today, I want to be able to spend as much time as possible here!”