As always, we’ve continued to bring joy to thousands of older people – both in care homes and throughout the community. We celebrated our 15 Year Anniversary and had a new Chair of Trustees. We opened another hospital garden plus a second allotment. And we’ve seen this incredible work reach millions of people through huge media coverage.
We are so proud of everything we’ve achieved. Thank you to all those that support us, through the sunshine and showers!
This week, we celebrated two years of our Sanctuary Square hospital garden at the BRI and toasted to another year of funding from Bristol & Weston Hospital’s Charity.
Enjoying wonderful tea and cake, we also unveiled the amazing mosaic created by BRI patients living with dementia, in collaboration with UHBW Artist Residence Jo Sinclair, and local artist Vic from Bluebell Treasures.
Arranged by Poet in Residence Beth Calverley, the poem written by patients, staff and volunteers was also proudly mounted outside for all to see.
A huge thanks to BWHC, the Dementia, Delirium and Falls team, our volunteers, and all those at UHBW for a brilliant two years of connecting older people on the hospital ward to nature (and each other!).
May Sanctuary Square continue to bloom!
Find out more about out gardening initiative at Bristol Royal Infirmary’s Sanctuary Square here.
In light of #WorldAlzheimersDay, our CEO wrote about the importance of coming together – one of the most vital things we can do.
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three of us born in the UK today will go on to develop the disease, and every three minutes someone is diagnosed with dementia in the UK. These are frightening statistics.
But together, we can improve the lives of those living with dementia. Together, we can create a support network for our army of carers. Together, through research, we can defeat it. We can’t do it alone. It will take a society working as one – in funding, in research, in care – to create a world that isn’t so devasted by this disease.
This year, our ‘Let’s Talk Dementia’ event was a positive example of what partnership work can do. Three small Bristol charities working together to educate, support and shine a light on dementia.
“I learnt so much today, I’ve found some more supportive groups and I didn’t know about all the symptoms either,” one attendee told me.
Our work with the NHS and Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity through our gardens and intergenerational sessions is improving the quality of life and engagements of patients during their stay in hospital. Very often reducing their length of stay and just bringing joy and light into a difficult situation as one lady said: “this has really made me smile today. I love coming off the ward and doing something fun.”
But we can’t do this alone. We need society to talk about dementia more. Everyone’s understanding of dementia has to be improved, so symptoms can be recognised and an early diagnosis sought.
Carers need to be adequately supported and understood to prevent breakdown. Those living with dementia need to be treated with dignity and empathy. We need to ask what people want and need and feel – and not assume we know.
We all need to change our thinking and support those who are living with dementia to lead lives as full as possible.
It’s time to act, and it’s time to ask, but we need to work together.
Celebrating the voices of our community, we’re thrilled to announce the opening of our intergenerational art exhibition at Weston Museum: A Calling.
Intergenerational connections benefit us all. Creating connections that unite, and not divide, us is essential in creating stronger communities, combating loneliness, and addressing ageism.
Alive, through our STANd (Strength Together Age Network development) project, have partnered with artist Ramona Eve to create A Calling: an exhibit that spotlights the voices of our community, expressing their passions through the ages. Promoting a real sense of togetherness, the installation features input from local older people, sharing their interests and encouraging others to learn new things and reignite past passions.
Engaging in meaningful activity for older people, particularly those living with dementia, has many health benefits. Enjoying hobbies and interests later in life can improve physical health and aid in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. And it’s by taking part in these hobbies together, that we can really promote a sense of community across the ages.
We hope you enjoy hearing older and younger people raise their voices to express their passions through the generations.
A Calling Open Until 8 October 2025 Weston Museum, Burlington St, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1PR
Word-blooms spoken and written by patients, relatives, staff and volunteers in the Sanctuary Square garden, arranged by Poet in Residence Beth Calverley.
Find out more about out gardening initiative at Bristol Royal Infirmary’s Sanctuary Square here.
The Bristol Elders groups hosted Tony Kelly at Easton Community Centre earlier this month, inviting the Diabetes Ambassador to give a talk about diabetes prevention and explore how the disease affects the Afro-Caribbean community.
Part of the groups’ varied programme of speakers, Tony’s talk highlighted how people from Black African, African Caribbean and South Asian backgrounds are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes from a younger age. With the exact reason for this not yet known, the disease can lead to serious health conditions if not treated, making talks like this crucial for our communities.
Drawing on his specialist knowledge of diabetes in the Afro-Caribbean community, as well as his own experience of living with the disease, Tony shared important information on how diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication and regular screening, as well as treatment for complications.
Finding the talk incredibly informative, the Bristol Elders have invited Tony back for a longer Q&A session for anyone that is interested.
Download some more information about diabetes here. Keep up with the Bristol Elders Groups here.
We’re thrilled to announce the public release of ‘Forget Me Not’: a documentary from UWE filmmakers, featuring our dementia-friendly allotment in Brentry, which celebrates its four-year anniversary this July.
About The Film
Back in October 2022, Alive were approached by five second-year filmmaking students who had been tasked with creating a 10-minute documentary on a subject they felt passionate about. We jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with Fay, Charlotte, Freya, Romy, and Emily, and invited them to join us for a cup of tea at the end of one of our sessions.
Their initial visit turned into three, during which time they built genuine connections with participants, filming with great sensitivity and care in a way that made people feel respected, comfortable, and truly seen.
Filmed as autumn transitioned into winter – on days that were cold, damp, and misty – the footage somehow radiates warmth and a space full of joy, meaning, and belonging. Through interviews and glimpsed moments of digging, planting, laughter, and quiet conversation, the film beautifully captures the essence of what our sessions offer.
Forget Me Not, 2022
The film is a powerful and evocative snapshot of a moment in time at the allotment, full of meaning, purpose, and connection.
More than anything, we hope the film shows how vital it is to support people living with dementia in ways that honour who they are; and the importance of not wrapping people in cotton wool or underestimating their abilities.
Four Years of Brentry
After pitching to film festivals, ‘Forget Me Not’ enjoys its public release on the anniversary of our North Bristol dementia-friendly allotment, which was officially opened in July 2021 by Marvin Rees, the then Mayor of Bristol.
Since its launch, our Brentry site has blossomed into one the charity’s biggest achievements. In 2022, the allotment won Markel’s prestigious Dementia Care Award and welcomed the BBC film crew for a special feature on Gardener’s World. Hosting regular events, launching new schemes for carers, inviting care home groups and our amazing team of volunteers, as well as our regular members for weekly sessions of dementia-friendly gardening, the allotment continues to thrive as a sanctuary for our entire community.
At the launch, Marvin Rees said the space will bring “hope” to Bristol, and it’s been a pleasure to see that come to fruition.
Having gardened all her life, Bruna and her daughter-in-law, Karen, gave us this heart-warming exchange in the film:
Karen: “It’s a nice, peaceful place to come. The people are lovely; the atmosphere’s lovely, and it’s just your happy place, isn’t it?”
Bruna: “Yeah, when I come in from the top, I always think ‘This is my life. I love it, I really love it.”
Credits:
Director: Freya Wellaway Producer: Charlotte Anderson DoP: Romy Robbin Editor: Fay Rippon Sound: Emily Jorgenson Stephens Music: Noah Merrall
We are thrilled to announce that we have received an Award of Excellence as Number One Charity of the Year for Older People at the 2025 E2 Media Awards.
Coinciding with the anniversary of our beloved founder, Tim Lloyd-Yeates, who passed away ten years ago, we opened the trophy on his memorial bench at our dementia-friendly allotment in North Bristol, surrounded by some of the older people we support.
Spotlighting the outstanding achievements of organisations that have demonstrated innovation and resilience in the face of adversity, it is an honour to be recognised by E2 Media. Praising our commitment to lighting up later life, the judges said:
Alive’s exceptional dedication to providing unparalleled service has set them apart, earning them the recognition and admiration of their industry peers and clients. This accolade highlights Alive’s commitment to excellence and the consistent efforts to go above and beyond in ensuring a positive and seamless experience for the older people they support. We think it’s important to recognise organisations bringing something new and innovative to their marketplace. They don’t have to be the biggest. However, they have to be an organisation that is trying to offer something different from what is already out there. Above all, they must provide a great product or service. We feel that Alive ticks all the boxes and is a worthy winner of our award.
E2 Media Award Judges
Speaking on the award and anniversary of Tim’s passing, our CEO Isobel Jones said:
To be honoured in this way for our dedication and commitment to older people means so much. It is an emotional testament to the vision Tim had, to the powerful force he inspired to not only bring love and joy to the lives of older people, but to the light he shone on the care system and how he has inspired change.
Ten years on, and I know he would be so incredibly proud of how we have continued to innovate, experiment and pioneer – and continue to build on his incredible legacy. With our recent award wins for our Meeting Centres and BRI Garden, as well as recognition for our Hoppiness Project, he’d definitely be smiling!
Isobel Jones, Alive CEO
A huge thank you to E2 Media for this incredible honour.
Dubbed the “future of dementia care”, we are delighted to see our Dementia Meeting Centres and BRI Hospital Garden honoured at this year’s prestigious Dementia Care Awards.
Living Well With Dementia Co-Production & Partnership Award
Winner: Alive’s Dementia Meeting Centre
Crowned for their “unwavering commitment”, we couldn’t be more proud of our Dementia Meeting Centre team for picking up this award. Providing people living with dementia “lifelines” of support, friendship and activity, it’s brilliant to see our important work in Bristol and North Somerset recognised nationally.
Demonstrates a deep and unwavering commitment to person-centred values by actively supporting individuals to explore activities that hold personal meaning for them. This approach not only respects their unique preferences and interests, but also creates pathways for them to access enriching opportunities that enhance their overall quality of life, wellbeing, and sense of fulfilment.
Judges’ comments
The Dementia Care Team Award
Highly Commended: Alive and BRI Hospital Garden Sanctuary Square
Receiving glowing feedback, our second accolade went to our joint venture with the Dementia, Delirium and Falls team at Bristol & Weston Hospital’s Charity. Since 2023, our Sanctuary Square courtyard garden at Bristol Royal Infirmary has provided patients and their loved ones access to dementia-friendly gardening and green crafts
Amanda Groves, Head of Fundraising, is not just a force of nature – her dedication to this cause is deeply personal. Paired with Head Gardener Abi’s tenacity and drive, they form and incredible duo, creating a powerful force for positive change. This visionary approach truly represents the future of dementia care.
With Volunteer’s Week kicking off today, we’d like to take the opportunity to thank our incredible team of 90+ volunteers who support our work at Alive.
Unable to deliver our vital services without them, our volunteers are central to our aim of lighting up later life. Supporting us across our Dementia Meeting Centres, Community Gardening opportunities, and Intergenerational Projects, they help bring so much joy, wisdom and warmth to everything we do.
To celebrate Volunteer’s Week 2025, two of our lovely team shared what it’s like to volunteer with Alive…
If you’re interested in connecting with your local community, learning new skills and making a real difference in the lives of others, why not join our team? Find out more about our Volunteering Opportunities here.
We provide training and reimburse expenses. Our Volunteer Coordinator is available for ongoing support.
