The Brave Space Invitation

Currently, I am looking for 4-6 families 

who have a member/person with dementia- at any stage- (for ease, referred to in the rest of this document as the PWD) 

to join me in a year’s long journey of navigating life with dementia using 

the Expressive Arts and Music Care as a therapeutic tool.

This has NOTHING to do with producing artwork (although sometimes it will produce beautiful things)

This has NOTHING to do with being an ‘artist’ (although embracing this title can feel really good)

This is about using the arts/music to:

*Tap into different parts of the brain

*Find ways to communicate feelings when words are unavailable or words are not enough

*Create/discover new neural pathways

*Discover new ways of ‘being’ while living with brain changes

*Learn how to have a new type of relationship with those who have lost their words and memory 

and connecting has become difficult

*Work through fear, anger, frustration, grief, powerlessness and despair

*Find  joy in all this (mess)

This work is person-centred; designed to fit the needs of the PWD and will take into consideration

the needs of the individual family.

The program will be designed to fit the needs and dynamics of the families, not geared to force the 

families to fit into an already established format. 

The program will be:

flexible and thoughtful

supportive and encouraging

patient and non-judgemental

kind and loving

The PWD will have opportunity for one-on-one sessions with me once a week, up to 4xs a month. 

Sessions can be held at the PWD’s home or, if appropriate, the PWD can be dropped off at my office or my home where we have a lovely bright space to work in. When it’s warm, we could spend the session time in our 

colourful, cozy garden.

A family member or caregiver would need to join a session at least once a month but could 

attend 2-3xs a month.  

If they wish, a family member will have the opportunity to process emotions with me 

(using the arts) one-on-one, once a month. 

The program will run 10 months over the course of 1 year.

(Depending on funding, a fee of $100/month might apply. If a family cannot afford this, 

I will look for subsidization).

Before I apply for funding, I need commitment from the 4-6 families: 

*A willingness to show up when they can

*An openness to trying new things

*Easeful access to the person living with dementia

*Courage to find new ways to journey through tough and confusing times

For more information, please contact me at:   

                    journey.intuart@sasktel.net

The Brave Space Invitation

 Together we will create brave space

Because there is no such a thing as a “safe space” —


 We exist in the real world

We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.

In this space

We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world,

We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,

We call each other to more truth and love

We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow. 

 We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know.

We will not be perfect.

This space will not be perfect.

It will not always be what we wish it to be

But

It will be our brave space together,

                                                    And
                                                     
            We will work on it side by side.               

  ~ Beth Stano (original)

  ~ Mickey Scott-Bey Jones (added to this poem)

All information will be held with the utmost confidentiality, respect and love. 

No judgement will ever be brought into the relationship with the client, caregiver(s)/family and Shon.