MILLIE VAN DER BYL WILLIAMS
Previous and Current Projects
2018 - Present
PhD - Understanding Agency in Dementia: developing a transdisciplinary model of agency.
My PhD is funded by the London College of Fashion - University of the Arts London and is joint with the Dementia Research Centre (UCL). My supervisors are Dr Hannah Zeilig (UAL), Prof Felicity Colman (UAL), and Prof Seb Crutch (UCL). My project looks at how we can understand agency for people living with dementia and takes a transdisciplinary approach, looking at different disciplines and also seeking knowledge from outside the academy - from people living with and alongside dementia.
2018 - Present
I have been running creative workshops for people living with and alongside dementia since 2018. I currently run at least 2 a month in Herne Bay and Whitstable and also run a Memory Cafe every 2 weeks.
The Make Your Morning workshops are attended by up to 14 people living with dementia and supported by up to 2 volunteers. The group take part in a different activity each time, so far these have included: cyanotype printing, badge making, marbling, clay coasters and much more!
The key aims of the group are:
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To empower people living with dementia to explore their creativity in a safe ‘failure free’ environment
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For people living with dementia to make friends and feel supported by others who understand their experience
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To foster a sense of community and belonging
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To enable people living with dementia to feel proud of their achievements and focus on their abilities
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To explore and learn about different art and craft mediums
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To have FUN!
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Read our latest report HERE
2024- Present
Out of the Ordinary (Training and Development Facilitator)
Out of the Ordinary is an innovative online project led in partnership with Wigmore Hall, the Royal Academy of Music, and Rare Dementia Support.
Out of the Ordinary brings together musicians from Music for Life, students from the Academy, and individuals from UCL’s Rare Dementia Support groups, and creates space for everyone involved to explore ways in which they can nurture their own and each other’s wellbeing through music and the expressive arts.
2020 - 2023
I helped to assist with the research that happened as part of the RDS Impact Study through interviewing carers and providing administrative support.
2016-2018
With All
Whilst working for Created out of Mind I had the privilege of working with Hannah Zeilig and Julian West exploring co-creativity with people living with dementia and their care partners.
2016-2018
As part of the Created Out of Mind residency at Wellcome we also looked at records of people diagnosed with dementia or a related diagnosis in the 1800s living in Ticehurst Asylum.
