Arts 4 Dementia’s London Arts Challenge in 2012,  has opened with art discussions and workshops at Kenwood House, and scriptwriting and drama workshops at The Tricycle Theatre, featured in the Inspire 2012 exhibition.

From February to September, fourteen arts venues around the capital will each provide a series of free workshops for people in the early stages of dementia and their carers.

A4D’s workshops, run by innovative artists and educators, with student volunteers, will offer inspirational challenges to stimulate brain activity. As the creative brain in Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia, can remain undamaged for years, engaging in high quality arts activity elevates participants above stressful symptoms of memory loss. Whatever the art form, whether art, comedy, drama, dance, Indian dance, music, photography or poetry and communication, the final performance, publication or exhibition will generate an exhilarating sense of achievement.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: ‘The London Arts Challenge is encouraging people in the early stages of dementia to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as Arts 4 Dementia, we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in innovative arts activity.’