1Can you explain your role in one sentence?I am a creative befriender for Resonate Arts and I use my creative skills to help a person living with dementia feel less isolated.
Every week, I visit a lady at home living with dementia and use the time to engage in fun and stimulating art activities. While we chat about each other's lives and our shared interests, we collaborate on creative projects involving drawing, painting, making collages and experimenting with different art materials and techniques. The sessions help lift her mood and focus her on being creative, which helps to distract her from worries and reduce feelings of isolation.

2Did you find yourself in this role by accident or design, and how long have you been doing it? I have been doing this since May 2023. I spent a few years in France, and I very much enjoyed spending time with my mother-in-law who happens to be creative. She’ll be 92 years old this year! When I came back to London, I had some free time and was seeking charitable organisations that use creativity to help others. While searching, I stumbled upon Resonate Arts, which was just what I wanted.

3What’s the best part about your role?Developing a meaningful relationship with my befriendee and working on creative projects together that we both enjoy. At the end of the day, seeing her enjoy our sessions with a spark in her eye and wanting me to come back is rewarding.

4What’s the most challenging part of your role?There are times when she may not feel like engaging in any creative projects and would rather just have a conversation. That’s perfectly okay. However, I do find that engaging in hands-on creative activities is the most rewarding and beneficial for her well-being. She has just celebrated her 100th birthday in May, so it's natural for her eyesight, hearing, and coordination to be compromised. Nevertheless, this doesn't stop us from creating art, I simply need to adapt to what works for her.

5What might someone be surprised to learn about your experience of being a befriender?It benefits not only her but also brings rewards to you. Time flies when you talk, joke, laugh, and share moments. It reminds me of my time with my mother-in-law. I am lucky that my befriendee has a great sense of humour, and I learn a lot from her. She is a wise woman with a knack for making people laugh. For someone living with dementia, engaging with art can help focus and relax the mind.

6How have art sessions helped foster the befriending relationship? Having common interests are beneficial. Resonate Arts paired us based on these interests, allowing for plenty of conversation and art ideas to share. My befriendee enjoyed our paper-flower making, drawing and painting her favourite flowers, making Christmas cards from paper quilling, sessions that brought us closer together over time.

7What do you like most about the local area?Westminster Borough offers a wealth of activities due to its central location. I particularly enjoy Hyde Park throughout the seasons and walking along Regent’s Canal.

8What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?I enjoy painting, particularly Chinese and abstract styles. I also love cooking and spending time with my new kitten. Currently, I am completing a diploma in interior design.

9If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?Gosh, there are so many places I can think of! One of them is the Norwegian Fjords.

10Who is your hero and why?My sister, Sarah, makes me so proud and what she has achieved in life. She is a strong, generous, funny, kind, and smart woman. A beautiful human being, inside and out.