The MONUMENT project: collaborating with Pathmakers for the benefit of a dementia friendly, pan-disability approach. - by Alanna Baker
There is undeniable evidence that access to nature, the outdoors and gentle exercise has amazing benefits for all. Whether you’re walking, gardening, or watching wildlife research shows that time spent in nature can aid your physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health. It can also help to slow the onset of symptoms related to conditions like dementia, improving quality of life.
“I do love being outside. I will walk anywhere in Norfolk and I love the woods.
I love the fields. I love foot paths. I just like to be out”
(a MONUMENT carer quote)
In 2022 Pathmakers and the Greenways to Greenspaces Team at Norfolk County Council came together over their overlapping interest in improving countryside access for all. Conversations developed about how the MONUMENT project could work with Pathmakers on their new inclusive accessible festival WalkNorfolk2022.
This Interreg 2 Seas funded project is inspired by the world class Dutch Odensehuis model and explores how technological and social innovation can strengthen the resilience of informal carers of people living with dementia. Its pilots are founded on the belief that equipping carers with quality tools and facilities provides emotional, social, and physical benefits for both the carer and the person living with dementia; easing the carer burden and hopefully allowing the cared-for to remain at home for longer.
The MONUMENT team at Norfolk County Council has focused their pilot on improving outdoor access for informal carers and people living with dementia. The project offered exciting collaboration opportunities with Active Norfolk, Adult Social Services and the Assistive Technology teams at Norfolk County Council, as well as with a wide and varied range of out-door leisure providers across this beautiful county.
With the delivery of this project running until December 2022 the Norfolk team were keen to ensure their networks, learning and training opportunities were shared with local stakeholders committed to improving access to outdoor spaces. Thus, Pathmakers seemed a natural partner.
Keen to enhance their understanding of MONUMENT’s models of best practice, members of the Pathmakers team attended the projects ‘Pathways Into Nature’ training; a bespoke training package for Norfolk professionals and leisure providers facilitated by the UK charity Dementia Adventure.
For WalkNorfolk2022, MONUMENT held two dementia and carer-friendly walking events. The circular walks were held at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB reserve and on the Marriott’s Way. Keeping accessibility in mind the walks did not exceed 2 miles, offered a steady pace and plenty of opportunities to pause and take in the surroundings. Each event offered a welcoming atmosphere and a friendly informative host. Both walks explored the unique local landscape and history of the area with plenty of moments to enjoy the wildlife rich shrublands, hedgerows, meadows and waterways. Both events proved very popular. Attendees mentioned how much they enjoyed simply being outside in fresh air and lovely surroundings, . Their experience was heightened by the fact that it offered the opportunity for a supported break from their usual routine and enabled them to meet new people and connect with nature.
Modelled on carer-considerate practice, each event benefited from; plentiful parking, accessible toilets, a narrative rich delivery and a complimentary hot drink to give attendees a truly MONUMENT experience.
The MONUMENT project and the Pathmaker’s WalkNorfolk2022 festival has evidenced that there is great appetite amongst stakeholders and the public to get outdoors for accessible and inclusive adventures in Norfolk. Through cooperating together, events like WalkNorfolk2022 strengthen the ability of those involved to provide holistic and person-centred support for aging communities in Norfolk, with a greater appreciation of pan-disability delivery approaches. The message the MONUMENT pilot in Norfolk wants to share is that if you get accessibility right for someone living with dementia, then you get it right for so many other people, whether that relates to social, cognitive or physical access needs.
If you’d like to know more about what MONUMENT has been up to you can contact the team at: monument@norfolk.gov.uk
The MONUMENT pilot project is led locally by the Environment Service at Norfolk County Council, working closely with colleagues in Adult Social Services and our UK and European partners. MONUMENT is project funded by Interreg 2 Seas Programme 2014-2020, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
To find out more about the project search MONUMENT at: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk or visit https://www.memo-monument.co.uk/
Article written by Alanna Baker, MONUMENT project.
