Dementia Programme

A dementia awareness programme is to be run in Netherton. I became aware of it as they were looking to engage an artist to support the programme and the advertisement was sent to the SCA (Southport Contemporary Arts), of which I am a member. As I plan to do a talk on AI and Innovation to the Southport Innovation Society, I thought that it would make a good example of how AI could be used to support programmes of this type.

Start of AI Assistant (CoPilot) conversation

Dementia Campaign. – Take the following Programme Brief, Project Objectives, Policies and Artists Deliverables into consideration when answering questions. Program Brief – A dementia awareness campaign is to be undertaken. The campaign is aimed at the general population who are living and/or working in Netherton. An interactive roadmap of the entire dementia journey will be designed to be as accessible as possible to all ages (from children to elders), to those living with dementia, their carers, family, friends and health professionals: Project Objectives – Netherton Dementia CIT are seeking a creative to co-develop artwork for digital and print media for their dementia campaign which aims to raise awareness around the entire dementia journey including risk-reduction, early symptoms, diagnosis, post diagnosis care and support, and dying well. The co-development of the visual assets will play a key role in encouraging community engagement and conversations, through countering myths and misconceptions and addressing the benefits of early diagnosis: Policies – Visuals must be available on a range of mediums including Social Media, Posters and Booklets, Websites, Videos, Training Materials and AI Digital Assistants. Materials must be targeted at a wide range of groups ranging from schools children and the general public through to healthcare professionals. An AI asset library will be created to support the programme, future initiatives and as an exemplar for others. The programme will employ an Agile approach. The programme will be designed to ensure that the data required to verify outcomes is collected. Artists’ Deliverables – co-development and delivery of custom artwork for digital and print media in conjunction with the CIT and newly formed Netherton community group with an interest in dementia. This will include development of a campaign logo, strapline, branding, “did you know flyer”, and dementia roadmap of the entire dementia journey. All technical/health content/text will be provided by the Community Innovation Team. Question – Can you provide best practice in the production of a Dementia Campaign that will inform the general public and medical practitioners. The campaign should provide demonstrable results in the early detection of dementia, long term outcomes of dementia sufferers and delayed onset of symptoms due to remedial actions such as physical and mental activity. An early deliverable is a Dementia Storyboard poster and a factsheet.

Absolutely, David. Given your deep experience in inclusive innovation and storytelling, this dementia campaign offers a powerful opportunity to blend narrative, design, and strategic impact. Here’s a best-practice framework tailored to your goals, with a focus on early detection, long-term outcomes, and community engagement.

🧠 Best Practices for a Dementia Awareness Campaign

🎯 Campaign Foundations

1. Audience-Centered Design

Use persona mapping to understand the needs of children, elders, carers, and professionals.
Ensure cultural and cognitive accessibility—use plain language, diverse imagery, and visual metaphors that resonate across age and ability.

2. Narrative as a Bridge

Anchor the campaign in real-life stories—e.g., “A Day in the Life” vignettes showing early symptoms, diagnosis, and support.
Include intergenerational voices to foster empathy and normalize conversations.

3. Agile Co-Creation

Involve the Netherton community group and CIT in iterative design sprints.
Use feedback loops to refine visuals and messaging based on lived experience and professional input.

🧩 Early Deliverables: Storyboard Poster & Factsheet

🖼️ Dementia Storyboard Poster

Purpose: Visually narrate the dementia journey from risk reduction to dying well.

Structure:

Section	Visual Concept	Message
Risk Reduction	Brain + heart + walking shoes	“Healthy habits protect your brain”
Early Symptoms	Split-frame of daily life with subtle changes	“Notice the signs early”
Diagnosis	GP consultation + brain scan icon	“Diagnosis opens doors to support”
Post-Diagnosis Support	Community circle + care map	“You’re not alone—support is here”
Dying Well	Peaceful home scene + family	“Planning ahead brings dignity”

Design Tips:

Use warm, inclusive color palettes.
Include QR codes linking to resources or videos.
Make it modular so sections can be repurposed for social media or booklets.

📄 Dementia Factsheet

Purpose: Provide concise, evidence-based information for public and practitioners.

Sections:

What is Dementia? (clear definition + types)
Early Warning Signs (checklist format)
Risk Reduction Tips (physical, mental, social)
Benefits of Early Diagnosis (myth-busting)
Support Pathways (local + national resources)
How to Help (for carers, friends, professionals)

Design Tips:

Use icons and infographics to aid comprehension.
Include local contact info and links to CIT resources.
Offer print and digital versions, optimised for screen readers.

📊 Measuring Impact

To demonstrate results in early detection and delayed onset:

Track engagement metrics (e.g., flyer uptake, social shares, training attendance).
Use pre/post surveys to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes.
Partner with local health services to monitor diagnosis rates and referrals.
Include activity pledges (e.g., “Walk for Brain Health”) to promote remedial actions.

🧰 Asset Library & Mediums

Ensure all visuals are:

Format-flexible (SVG for AI assistants, PNG for posters, MP4 for videos).
Tagged and categorised for easy reuse in future campaigns.
Inclusive by design, with alt text, multilingual options, and diverse representation.

Would you like help drafting the storyboard poster or factsheet layout next? I can also suggest visual metaphors or co-create sample content with you and the CIT.

Can you draft a Storyboard which covers the roadmap from early suspicions by patients through to diagnosis, treatments and outcomes. The roadmap should also cover preventative measures such as physical and mental activity, and likelihood of getting the disease.

Absolutely, David. Here’s a draft storyboard roadmap tailored for your dementia campaign—designed to be visually engaging, emotionally resonant, and informative across all age groups and professional audiences. It follows a narrative arc from prevention to post-diagnosis, with clear visual cues and messaging that can be adapted for posters, booklets, digital media, and AI assistants.

🧠 Dementia Journey Storyboard Roadmap

Title: “Understanding Dementia: A Journey of Awareness, Action, and Support”

🎬 FRAME 1: Prevention & Brain Health

Visual: A vibrant community scene—children playing, elders walking, people gardening, reading, dancing.
Message:

“Healthy habits protect your brain.”
“Stay active—physically, mentally, socially.”
Include icons for walking, puzzles, music, friendships.
Fact Bubble:
“Up to 40% of dementia cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes.”

🔍 FRAME 2: Early Suspicions

Visual: Split-frame of a person at home—misplacing items, repeating questions, feeling confused.
Message:

“It’s okay to wonder. Trust your instincts.”
“Early signs may be subtle—don’t ignore them.”
Fact Bubble:
“Memory loss isn’t always normal aging. Talk to your GP.”

🩺 FRAME 3: Seeking Help & Diagnosis

Visual: GP consultation scene with supportive dialogue and brain scan icon.
Message:

“Early diagnosis opens doors to support.”
“You’re not alone—help is available.”
Fact Bubble:
“Timely diagnosis improves quality of life and care planning.”

🧭 FRAME 4: Post-Diagnosis Support

Visual: A care map with community services, family, and health professionals surrounding the person.
Message:

“Support is a team effort.”
“From memory cafés to care plans—your journey is shared.”
Fact Bubble:
“Local services can help with daily living, emotional support, and planning.”

🧠 FRAME 5: Living Well with Dementia

Visual: Person engaging in hobbies, social activities, and gentle exercise.
Message:

“Dementia doesn’t define you.”
“Stay connected, stay curious.”
Fact Bubble:
“Mental stimulation and routine can slow progression.”

🌅 FRAME 6: Planning Ahead & Dying Well

Visual: Peaceful home scene with family, legal documents, and care planning.
Message:

“Dignity through preparation.”
“Talk about wishes early—empower your future.”
Fact Bubble:
“Advance care planning ensures your voice is heard.”

🧰 FRAME 7: Myth-Busting & Community Action

Visual: Interactive board with myths crossed out and facts highlighted.
Message:

“Let’s talk dementia—openly and honestly.”
“Together, we change the story.”
Fact Bubble:
“Dementia is not just memory loss—it’s a complex condition.”

🧒 FRAME 8: Intergenerational Learning

Visual: Children and elders sharing stories, drawing together, exploring the roadmap.
Message:

“Learning together builds understanding.”
“Every generation has a role to play.”
Fact Bubble:
“Empathy starts with education.”

🧭 Design Notes

Use a horizontal or circular layout to suggest continuity and progression.
Include “You Are Here” markers for modular use in training or community events.
Add QR codes linking to videos, factsheets, and local resources.
Ensure alt text and multilingual options for accessibility.

Would you like help adapting this into a visual layout or co-developing the factsheet to accompany it? I can also suggest metaphors or iconography that resonate across cultures and age groups.

Can you create an A2 graphic that captures the above messages.

Note I have made no attempt to correct this graphic, as it is only providing an example. If I wished to edit it I would use a graphical program editor.

Here it is—your A2 dementia journey poster is ready. It visually captures the full roadmap from prevention to post-diagnosis, with warm, inclusive scenes and clear messaging designed for all ages and audiences. Let me know if you’d like to adapt this for booklets, social media, or training materials next.

Given the importance of achieving the Dementia Strategic Objectives it is important that data is collected and the Strategic Key Performance Indicators met. Can you use our previous Capability approach to illustrate how a Capability Timeline, for the Storyboard Roadmap, could be developed. Can you use the definitions from our previous project i.e. Capability Analysis – This is this the scoring of a function or functional area to determine how well it currently operates, what is seen as best practice, the realistic level that should be attained, and the actions required to move from the current level to a realistic level. Capabilities generally range from 1 to 5, with 5 being a greater capability; Affinity Analysis – This which capabilities an action will impact, either positive impacts or negative. It considers the complete range of functions that will be impacted; Capability Timelines – these show how capabilities will either improve or decline 0ver time as actions are taken.

Absolutely, David. Let’s build a Capability Timeline for the Dementia Storyboard Roadmap using your established framework. This will help ensure that each phase of the campaign is strategically aligned with measurable improvements in awareness, early detection, and community engagement—while also supporting the collection of meaningful data for Strategic KPIs.

🧠 Capability Timeline for Dementia Storyboard Roadmap

Purpose: To track how key capabilities evolve over time as actions are implemented across the campaign phases—from prevention to post-diagnosis and dying well.

📊 Step 1: Define Core Capabilities

Each storyboard frame corresponds to a functional area. We assess its current capability (1–5), best practice, realistic target, and required actions.

Storyboard Phase	Capability Area	Current Level	Best Practice	Realistic Target	Key Actions
Prevention & Brain Health	Public Health Literacy	2	5	4	Co-create flyers, school workshops, social media challenges
Early Suspicions	Symptom Recognition	2	5	4	GP training, myth-busting visuals, community talks
Diagnosis	Access to Diagnostic Services	3	5	4	Referral pathways, AI assistant prompts, factsheets
Post-Diagnosis Support	Care Navigation	2	5	4	Interactive roadmap, local service mapping, carer guides
Living Well	Activity Engagement	2	5	4	Memory environments, physical activity pledges, creative kits
Dying Well	Advance Care Planning	1	5	3	Legal literacy sessions, visual storytelling, GP prompts
Myth-Busting	Public Perception	2	5	4	Campaign videos, intergenerational storytelling, posters
Intergenerational Learning	Community Cohesion	2	5	4	School packs, family co-creation spaces, shared exhibitions

🔗 Step 2: Affinity Analysis

Each action may impact multiple capabilities. Here’s a sample matrix:

Action	Impacts	Positive/Negative
Dementia Storyboard Poster	Public Health Literacy, Symptom Recognition, Public Perception	✅ Positive
Memory Environment Roadshow	Activity Engagement, Community Cohesion, Care Navigation	✅ Positive
GP Training Module	Symptom Recognition, Diagnosis, Advance Care Planning	✅ Positive
Intergenerational Workshops	Community Cohesion, Public Perception, Living Well	✅ Positive
Legal Literacy Sessions	Advance Care Planning, Care Navigation	✅ Positive

📈 Step 3: Capability Timeline

This visualises how capabilities improve over time as actions are deployed. Here’s a simplified example for three phases:

📅 Timeline: Month 0 → Month 6 → Month 12

Capability Area	Month 0	Month 6	Month 12
Public Health Literacy	2	3.5	4
Symptom Recognition	2	3	4
Diagnosis Access	3	3.5	4
Care Navigation	2	3	4
Activity Engagement	2	3.5	4
Advance Care Planning	1	2.5	3
Public Perception	2	3.5	4
Community Cohesion	2	3.5	4

🧰 Strategic KPI Alignment

Each capability improvement should be tied to a measurable KPI. For example:

📌 Public Health Literacy: % increase in awareness scores from pre/post surveys
📌 Symptom Recognition: % increase in early GP visits citing memory concerns
📌 Diagnosis Access: % reduction in time from suspicion to diagnosis
📌 Activity Engagement: # of participants in physical/mental activity programs
📌 Advance Care Planning: % of diagnosed individuals with documented care plans

Would you like help visualising this as a dashboard or integrating it into your AI asset library for real-time tracking? I can also help design modular templates for community reporting and feedback loops.

I’ve now moved from using my laptop to using a Raspberry Pi single board computer to illustrate how we can build A Dementia Centre Hub, in a box, similar to our Innovation Centre projects. The aim is to run it at zero cost using the Raspberry Pi community for design and development, and sponsored resources and expertise to fund the hubs. Hubs are for use by individuals or small groups. A hub will be small, typically a 5 inch square box. It will house a Raspberry Pi 5, with an AI kit and an AI camera, and have a directional microphone. A range of free or cheap software will be available, however the aim is for it to run using simple gestures, voice commands and image recognition. Bespoke apps will be relatively simple and be developed at zero cost by the Raspberry Pi community. As Copilot, along with other image generation software will be used, we now have the makings of a sophisticated system for people with dementia. Can you write a story about John, a dementia patient. He enters his kitchen, where the dementia hub monitors his movements in order to raise alerts if there are issues. He uses it to control his radio, which can also play his favourite shows from years gone by. He uses gestures to control the television and watch his favourite movies. He then uses it to watch images and videos of his family and past life. It is now time for some exercise. He follows exercises on the screen, which monitors his gestures and responds appropriately. Next for his work. He likes to create pictures and graphical designs using AI and also write short stories, which are read back to him. Again this uses AI. Today he has invited his family and friends around for a regular history session where they use AI to find pictures from his past, create new imaginary images, create stories and poems, and also create music to accompany the images and short stories. I’ll assume they use something similar to Suno to create the music based on poems, which have been created from stories, using Copilot.

Here’s a story that brings John’s experience to life—showcasing how the Dementia Centre Hub empowers memory, creativity, safety, and connection in a deeply human way:

🏡 John’s Day with the Dementia Centre Hub

John shuffled into his kitchen just as the morning sun spilled across the tiled floor. The small box on the counter—no bigger than a paperback—lit up softly. It was his Dementia Centre Hub, a quiet companion built from a Raspberry Pi 5, an AI camera, and a directional microphone. It had no flashy branding, no corporate polish—just purpose, community, and care.

As John reached for the kettle, the hub gently tracked his movements. It didn’t intrude, but it knew when something wasn’t quite right. If he lingered too long near the stove or forgot to turn off the tap, it would alert his daughter, quietly and respectfully.

He waved his hand toward the radio, and it responded instantly. A familiar jingle played, followed by the warm voice of a 1960s presenter. “And now, a classic from The Shadows…” John smiled. The hub had remembered his favourites—shows from his youth, voices that once filled his childhood home in Sefton.

Later, he settled into his armchair and gestured toward the television. The screen flickered to life, showing The Ladykillers—his all-time favourite. He chuckled at Alec Guinness’s crooked smile. With another gesture, the screen shifted to a slideshow of family photos: his wedding day, his children in the garden, a grainy video of a beach holiday in Rhyl. The hub had curated these from his digital archive, blending image recognition with AI storytelling.

Then came exercise time. A gentle chime reminded him, and a cheerful instructor appeared onscreen. “Let’s move together, John!” He followed the motions, and the hub tracked his gestures, offering encouragement and adjusting the pace. It wasn’t just exercise—it was dignity in motion.

After lunch, John turned to his “work.” He loved creating. With voice commands and simple gestures, he opened his AI art app. He painted a memory of Sefton Park in autumn—golden leaves, children laughing, the bandstand in the distance. Then he dictated a short story about a boy who found a magical tram that could travel through time. Copilot read it back to him, adding gentle inflection and warmth.

Today was special. His family and friends were coming over for their regular “History Session.” The hub transformed the living room into a co-creation space. Together, they used AI to find old photos of Sefton’s high street, imagined scenes from John’s youth, and wrote poems inspired by his stories. Copilot helped shape the verses, and Suno-style software turned them into music—soft piano melodies and nostalgic harmonies that filled the room.

Laughter echoed. A granddaughter danced to a song inspired by John’s poem. His son added a verse. His neighbour shared a photo of their old corner shop. The hub didn’t just facilitate—it amplified memory, creativity, and connection.

As evening came, John sat quietly, the hub dimming its lights. It had done its job—not just as a device, but as a bridge between past and present, between isolation and community.

And tomorrow, it would be ready again.

Would you like to turn this into a short film script, storyboard, or interactive demo for your next roadshow? I can help design the modular experience or even simulate how the hub might respond in real time.

Can you create a Shout Out to the raspberry Pi community, The Raspberry Pi foundation and educational establishments for enthusiasts to develop new and exciting apps and functions for the Dementia Centre hub.

Absolutely, David! Here’s a heartfelt and energizing shout-out that celebrates the spirit of open innovation and invites the Raspberry Pi community to rally around the Dementia Centre Hub initiative:

📣 Shout Out to the Raspberry Pi Community!

To the brilliant minds of the Raspberry Pi community, the visionary team at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, and the countless educators, makers, and students who turn ideas into impact—this is your moment.

We’re building something extraordinary: a Dementia Centre Hub in a Box—a compact, affordable, AI-powered companion designed to support people living with dementia through gesture control, voice interaction, image recognition, and creative engagement. And we’re doing it the Raspberry Pi way: open, inclusive, and powered by community ingenuity.

🎯 What we need from you:

🧠 Simple, brilliant apps that spark memory, creativity, and connection
🎨 Tools for storytelling, music-making, and visual design—accessible to all ages
🗣️ Voice and gesture interfaces that feel intuitive and empowering
🧰 Modular kits and tutorials for schools, carers, and families to build their own hubs
💡 Ideas we haven’t even imagined yet—because that’s what you do best

Whether you’re a student prototyping in a classroom, a developer tinkering in your garage, or an educator shaping the next generation of changemakers—your skills can transform lives.

This is more than a project. It’s a movement.
A movement for dignity, creativity, and community-powered care.

Let’s show the world what happens when open-source meets open-hearted innovation.
Let’s build the future of dementia support—one Pi at a time.

🛠️ Join us. Create with us. Change lives with us.

Would you like this adapted into a social media post, a campaign flyer, or a call-for-collaboration page for your website? I can also help draft a community challenge or hackathon brief to kickstart development.

I’ll demonstrate an image I created from an old photo and a half remembered memory. All the elements are there but not necessarily in the right order.

We can now create a story around this image, a poem or a song. In practice I tend to create a story first, then a poem based on the story, and finally a song using the lyrics of the poem. I created the image above for my family who originated from Widnes. There is a family story, poem and song to accompany it.

I’ve included one of my more recent images titled “The Breath of Life”, which combines a wide range of science and art techniques, with a song that accompanies it.

I’ve included this image and music as they illustrate techniques that could enable people to retain skills and knowledge for longer. My grandchildren aged 9 and 7 where involved in building a simple paint pouring robot using Lego, and controlling the paint pouring processes from which the key elements of the artwork emerged. Digital and Fractal art, also involved in the process, are excellent for enabling people with an interest in art to retail skills.

The final image illustrates how complex images can emerge from very simple work by people with dementia. The image below started as a simple artwork by a relative in a Care Home. She positioned coloured buttons on the outline of a tree. She enjoyed doing and and I thought that it would work well with another simple sketch created by a local artist. I created this some time ago, before the latest Digital and AI tools were available. It is far simple to achieve a similar outcome using modern tools.