At Living Well with Dementia we work with people of all ages who are living with a dementia diagnosis. LWwD offers a selection of person-centred supports for people living with dementia and those who care for them. Ranging from activities and social engagement to information and education, these supports are developed in response to expressed needs of people connected to the programme.
Mary Spain
Programme CoordinatorPhone: 086 041 8450
Angela Lennon
Administrator & ActivitiesPhone: 087 109 0106
Gerry Noonan - Choral Directory Sweet Memories Choir
Gerry began his vocal training at the Dublin College of Music. Later, he obtained his Diploma in Music, in Performance and Teaching, at the RIAM. Having taken early retirement from secondary teaching, Gerry now teaches Singing and Music Theory in the Leinster School of Music and Drama, Griffith College.
A very experienced performer, Gerry has a wide range of roles to his name in Music Theatre, Operetta and Opera. He also has performed in Oratorio and on the concert platform.
Apart from the LWwD Sweet Memories Choir, Gerry also directs the CCMA Memory Lane Choir and is Choral Director for St. Agnes’ Musical Society, Crumlin. Gerry has been with the Sweet Memories choir for ten years.
For more information see his website: www.gerrynoonan.com
Molly Brown- Siel Bleu Exercise Class
Siel Bleu work with older adults, patient groups, community organisations, people living with physical and intellectual disabilities. They design programmes with a preventative approach that benefits all service users. They promote autonomy and wellbeing of older people and people living with chronic conditions, ensuring that everyone has the capacity and self-confidence necessary to live independent and happy lives. Siel Bleu has been working with LWwD since 2013. Molly recently graduated from Dublin City University in 2023 with an honours degree in Sports Science and Health. In this role, her enthusiasm grew from studying the impact of physical activity on specific groups such as older adults, observing the positive influence exercise can have on their health and overall quality of life. The most rewarding aspect of the job for her is working with diverse individuals and making a small but significant difference to their lives.
Robert Connor - Movement to Music
Robert Connor (along with Loretta Yurick) is Co-Artistic Director and founder of Dance Theatre of Ireland. They have created & toured over 33 original works and developed many Outreach programmes including the Well-Dance for Seniors programme and Dancing Well with Parkinson’s and Movement & Music Inclusive of Dementia— offering live and online activities. They are founders of the Vintage Youth Ensemble, a Seniors performance group that grew out of the Well-Dance classes.
Movement & Music Inclusive of Dementia classes are specifically adapted to meet the abilities of participants, focusing on musicality, rhythm, expression, connection, and joy. This 1 hour “do as you are able” activity promotes freedom of movement and creativity, within an atmosphere of exhilarating fun and uplifting music which seamlessly transports participants to a joyful place, whilst improving breathing, balance, fluidity, and strength. Robert has worked with LWwD since 2013.
Caroline Hyland - Art Facilitator
Caroline Hyland is an illustrator and art facilitator, with a background in Visual Communications, Art Education and Occupational Therapy.
Caroline facilitates community art groups, including the Living Well with Dementia Art group and with the DoubleTAKE supported arts studio in Tallaght. She has also worked as an art facilitator at the National Centre for Arts and Health, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH). Caroline is passionate about using her illustrations to help people feel heard and to make information more accessible for all. Caroline began working with Living Well with Dementia as a volunteer in the art and dance classes and this led to facilitating the Friday Art sessions in 2019.
Caroline developed an art project called ‘Can You See What I See?’ that supports living well with Dementia. This toured as an art exhibition for several years around Ireland. For more information or to purchase a book please visit Caoline’s website.
The number of nominations and awards received by those working on behalf of LWwD is testament to the great work that is being done by both volunteers and staff alike.
- 2 Volunteers won Volunteer Award Winners in DLRCoCo in 2016.
- 2017 Volunteer nominated for the Rotary Club Dun Laoghaire Person of the year Award and shortlisted to the final five.
- 2017 Living Well with Dementia (LWwD) was selected by the European Venture Philanthropy Association and was profiled and showcased across Europe and further afield. The aim of this campaign is to show how venture philanthropy is contributing to the success of projects in Europe and beyond.
- May 2017 at the eHealth Summit in Malta the Lead of LWwD was the inaugural winner of the European Kate Granger Award for outstanding leadership in Compassionate Health Care.
- September 2017 Lead of LWwD received Outstanding Achievement Award by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber County Business Award.
- December 2017 LWwD Volunteers nominated for the The National Volunteer of the Year Group Awards 2017 and shortlisted to the final three in category.
- Volunteer won Volunteer Award Winners in DLRCoCo in 2018.
- November 2019 Living Well with Dementia volunteer team awarded 2nd place in the Community & Volunteer Awards 2019.
- November 2019 LWwD Volunteer recognised for valuable contribution to their community in the Community & Volunteer Awards 2019.
- May 2022 two of our volunteer musicians were runners up in the Arts & Culture category of the Volunteer Ireland Awards.
June 2023 LWwD Sweet Memories Choir was a recipient of a Cathaoirleach’s Award. These awards are amongst the highest honour DLRCC can give and are awarded to individuals or groups who give exceptional service to the Community.
Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs) and Integrated Care Hubs serving Wicklow, Dublin South and Dublin South East . These are areas that we cover
