A series of uplifting experiences in safe and supportive spaces for people living with dementia and their families

Charity Dementia Adventure has launched a series of ‘Green Letter Day’ dementia-inclusive experiences – such as walking cricket and flower arranging – in safe, supportive and accessible spaces for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

The experiences are all designed around the revitalising power of nature and the great outdoors, reflecting ethos of Dementia Adventure, a charity dedicated to enhancing the lives of those affected by dementia through nature-based activities.

There are a variety of days out and at-home experiences across the UK for families impacted by dementia to choose from including golf, cricket, tennis, picnics, boat trips, nature walks, gardening and flower arranging, which are specifically designed to create a safe and relaxing space for people with dementia.

Tickets for most Green Letter Days are free. Whilst Dementia Adventure receives voluntary income and gifts-in-kind to help them deliver some experiences, some Green Letter Days require a small charge to cover essential costs only, keeping the events as accessible as possible.

It is estimated that 982,000 people live with dementia in the UK, a number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Many people with dementia can find their worlds become smaller whereby the boundaries to their social opportunities and physical activities narrow over time, limiting their enjoyment of past passions and social connections.

Green Letter Days have been set up to overcome this by designing inclusive and interactive ‘adventures’ that foster social inclusion and so improve mental health for those living with dementia and their family, friends and carers whose lives can be greatly impacted too.

Fiona Petit, Chief Executive at Dementia Adventure says: “This new initiative that takes its inspirations from Red Letter Days will allow families impacted by dementia to be able to live more active and fulfilled lives. Our Green Letter Days will provide a simple and accessible way to help make this possible. With a range of activities on offer, we hope they will be able find something of interest or something that might even reignite a past passion or start a new one.”

Dementia Adventure has been piloting Green Letter Day cricket events with Middlesex CCC for over a year, refining the experience based upon feedback from families that attended. Of the 107 people that attended from May to September 2024, 75% reported they were very satisfied with the day and 25% were satisfied. 85% of carers expressed an interest in attending more community events, with one commenting “Being here today has shown us how many possibilities there still are. It has really changed our perspective”. Another added: “Today gave me the confidence to try more activities with my partner. It was well-supported, and I felt less pressure.”

People can apply for Green Letter Day tickets to attend a range local fun days out or remote, at-home sessions at https://dementiaadventure.org/green-letter-days/

Current Green Letter Days on offer include:

• Dementia-Inclusive Golf Days
• Walking Cricket & Reminiscence Sessions
• Freddie’s Flowers Online Flower Arranging Workshop
• Allotment Adventures
• Love-All Tennis Days
• Boat trips, run in collaboration with Wetwheels
• PGL multigenerational family adventure days

About Dementia Adventure

Dementia Adventure envisions a society where individuals with dementia can live well, maintaining contact with nature and enjoying a sense of adventure. The charity provides supported holidays, Green Letter Days, free learning and support sessions for care-givers, and training and consultancy for organisations to create inclusive and accessible services for those living with dementia.