Dementia, Art and Joy Programme
Welcome to Art and Joy!
The Project and Exhibition
In September 2024 the Museum of Croydon and Good Wolf People launched the Dementia, Art and Joy (DAJ) project, a series of fortnightly sessions for people living with dementia and their carers. Group sessions offered the opportunity to take part in creative activities in a fun and supportive environment.
Influenced by participants' ideas of what brings us joy, a range of paintings, collages, and illustrations from the Croydon Art Collection were brought into sessions, to enjoy and to inspire. We played with the different art-making techniques seen in these artworks to create our own masterpieces, sharing stories along the way.
Aiming to evoke happiness and highlight the importance of art to wellbeing, this evolved into an exhibition called Art and Joy (20th May - 29th November 2025) which showcased a selection of the Croydon Art Collection works that the DAJ group were most intrigued by, as well as their own creations.
Activity Art Packs for Care Homes and Carers
As part of the project we will be releasing ‘Art & Joy’ packs for care homes. Digital and physical activity packs for carers. You can email us at museum@croydon.gov.uk. Coming soon, we apologise for the delay.
Our Legacy
Due to the incredible and positive response from participants, the Museum has been able to continue our fortnightly sessions for those living with dementia and their carers. We aim to make Art and Joy a permanent FREE wellbeing programme at the Museum of Croydon by seeking further funding and support.
We look forward to welcoming you with a cup of joy!
Are you a carer or an individual with a Dementia and interested in joining? please read below to find out more about the sessions and how to join.
Inspire
Be inspired by the Croydon Art Collection, from the artists themselves to their technique, style, colour and subject. Our sessions aimed to inspire and evoke joy! Sessions can include artworks from museum storage; in response to participant’s interests and weekly themes.
The collection began in the 1890s when many works were given as gifts to council. In the 1960s work by artists from the Croydon School of Art was acquired by the borough’s education department. Further donations over the years has resulted in an incredible art collection of over 2,000 works, including paintings, prints and sketches from the 17th Century to significant pieces by contemporary artists including Bridget Riley.
Create
Enjoy a cuppa and a chat together while creating art!
Art has a unique ability to tap in to a wide range of emotions, including joy, and can provide great comfort. Each session included an art making activity, inspired by the Croydon Art Collection and previous sessions. Art activities aimed to be casual and fun - welcoming all levels of experience! Sessions are uniquely aimed at both carers AND those they care for who are living with dementia. Creating a welcoming space to make conversation and bring joy - with project staff and volunteers there to support.
FAQS
Find answers to frequently asked questions here and more information.
Email us if there is anything else your would like to know.
museum@croydon.gov.uk
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What is Art and Joy?
As part of the project’s continuation ‘Dementia, Art and Joy’; Art and Joy is a series of fortnightly sessions for people living with dementia and their carers. The group offers the opportunity to take part in creative activities in a fun, welcoming and supportive environment.
We welcome family members, partners, carers or friends to come along and join in! All sessions are FREE!
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Art and Joy will:
Provide experienced facilitators who will create a fun and celebratory environment and Museum staff who can chat to participants more about the art and artists we look at.
Explore the Museum of Croydon’s art collection.
Offer a range of arts activities to get involved in, to create our own – no experience necessary!
Offer a unique experience for attendees to spend time together and have new shared experiences.
Organise standalone sessions where attendance at every session is not required. Come to one, come to them all or dip in and out in a way that works for you.
Follow current Dementia Friendly guidance to ensure the sessions and the Museum’s services are accessible and welcoming.
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Use our 'Sign Up' form to be placed on our email list. Staff will be in touch via email to invite you to upcoming sessions.
All bookings will be taken via the email address: museum@croydon.gov.uk
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Location: Museum of Croydon, Activities Space on Level 0 (as you enter building, the library will be in front of you and the café to your right. Turn left and follow signage) To be confirmed
Address: Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1ET
Dates: Fortnightly sessions.
Time: Wednesdays,10.30am to 12:00pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Once you have signed up you will receive more information on future dates, additional sessions or changes, if any.
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Location and transport
Croydon Clocktower is centrally located in Katharine Street in Croydon's town centre with excellent transport links.
Tram
The nearest stops are George Street and Wellesley Road.
Bus
Bus stops for all the major bus routes are on Katharine Street, Park Street and on Park Lane by the Nestlé Building and across the road by Fairfield Halls. West Croydon bus station and the bus interchange at East Croydon station are within walking distance.
Train
East and West Croydon rail stations are within walking distance (15+ mins). There are regular services from/to London Victoria, London Bridge, Thameslink stations, Gatwick Airport and south coast destinations.
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The Museum does not have parking facilities.
The nearest multi-storey car parks are Fairfield in Barclay Road and Surrey Street in Charles Street. You can search more options here.
For blue badge holders.
All car parks have dedicated bays for blue badge holders. There is also on-street parking for blue badge holders on Fell Road, by St George's Walk. Fell Road is next to the Croydon Clocktower Building.
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Entry to the building
You will be able to enter the building via main doors from 9am. The front of the building has ramped access and it is step free to the Activities Space (where sessions will be held).
Public lifts give access to rest of building such as upstairs galleries, David Lean Cinema and Town Hall.
Toilets
Toilets including wheelchair accessible toilets are located on Level 0 and 1. Toilets are close by to the session space.
Quiet space
If you would like to leave the session at any point, staff can direct you to a quieter space.
Cloakroom
We have a coat rack and lockers outside the Activities Space.
Food and Drink
Teas, coffees and light snacks will be provided during the session.
The Clocktower Café will be open (9am-4pm) there is a selection of hot and cold food and drinks which can be purchased.
You are able to bring your own food and drink for medical reasons, if you prefer.
Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs
Guide and Hearing Dogs are welcome at the Croydon Clocktower.
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter
If you require BSL interpretation for sessions please get in touch with us at least one month’s notice prior to the session. We will do our best to accommodate all requests and will be in touch to confirm.
Access to exhibition
The exhibition is located next to the Activities room. Please see ‘Visit’ page for more information on access.
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For booking, general session enquiries please contact:
email: museum@croydon.gov.uk
telephone: 020 8604 7501 / 020 8253 1022
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No, the sessions and refreshments are all Free. Please make sure to book your place on the session(s) as spaces are limited.
Exhibition is free admission.
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Yes, the Museum has facilitated outreach sessions which includes facilitators taking handling objects into care homes/memory cafes. Contact us at museum@croydon.gov.uk for more information.
Yes, also in the Clocktower - The David Lean Cinema offers regular Dementia Friendly Film Screenings in the Clocktower.
Interested in attending Art and Joy sessions at the Museum of Croydon? Join us at any time by clicking on the ‘Sign Up’ button below:
In loving memory of Hazel Allison De Souza (1948-2025) who brought so much joy to our sessions. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
This project and exhibition 2024-2025 is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Part of Croydon Council’s Creative Health programme.
The estate of Richard Allen for permission to use Diacrosse by Richard Allen (1933-1999) in our project marketing.
Copyright: The Bruce Girls and Science Fantasy sketch by Norman Partridge, used in our exhibition promotional material ©National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS).
Special thanks to…