Total Drama Technique for care settings
Creativity, connection, and a proper laugh — for people living with dementia.
Memory Club combines drama, music and memory games to engage residents, build confidence, and bring a bit of joy to your setting.
Total Drama Technique for care settings
Memory Club combines drama, music and memory games to engage residents, build confidence, and bring a bit of joy to your setting.
Alex Dawson
Founder, Memory Man
My job is to get your group thinking, working together, having a laugh and, most importantly, having fun. Memory Club challenges participants' short- and long-term memories in a friendly, informal way, while building confidence and self-esteem in a safe, supportive environment.
I hope you find what you need here. If you'd like to know more, or talk through whether Memory Club is right for your provision, get in touch — I'd love to hear from you.
Memory Club is an innovative programme of complementary, arts-based brain-training activities for people living in care and for those living with dementia.
Developed by teachers with a view to stimulating cognitive function in older people within the care sector, the programme is designed to be engaging, informal and, most importantly, fun.
Alex Dawson studied BA (Hons) Drama, with additional qualifications including Autism Movement Therapy and Total Drama Technique certification.
Alex's drama background spans over a decade working with schools, youth and community groups on theatre in education and drama therapy programmes. He has supported sessions with Mencap and Funtastic Forum, and worked within the South Wales care system. His work as an Autism Movement Therapist enabled him to develop the Total Drama Technique — a programme designed to help people with dementia strengthen their communication and interaction skills.
Prompted by his expertise in drama therapy, and by personal experience supporting a family member with dementia, Alex has run workshops and regular Total Drama Technique sessions in over 50 different provisions across a range of locations.
The Total Drama Technique uses a system of cognitive restructuring to improve quality of life for people with dementia. Quantitative trials during the programme's development showed a substantial increase in patients' ability to communicate and work as a team when the Technique is practised regularly and consistently — helping people live longer, perform tasks for themselves, and maintain their independence and dignity.
This is supported by anecdotal feedback from session participants and their relatives, as well as by wider research.
The Total Drama Technique works with the parts of the brain still functioning well, encouraging people with dementia to interact and socialise with one another where they might not otherwise meet socially. While the Technique can be practised at home, it's unique in bringing entire groups together to communicate and connect — particularly those housed 'in ward' together, or living together in a care home or other social setting.
Sessions usually start with a song to get everyone in the mood for a laugh. The more challenging exercises come mid-session — a flash card game, a memory quiz, or whatever the group fancy. Sessions round off with another sing-song and, sometimes, a reminiscence relaxation to warm the mind down.
Therapeutic songs prompt emotional expression and wellbeing.
Engaging narratives to spark imagination and connection.
Here's the feedback we regularly receive from our clients.
"My residents certainly did enjoy the session. I am sure they would like to do it again."
The Oaks Residential Home
"Very interesting — the residents enjoyed it and would like to do it again."
Willows House Residential Home
Get in touch for a no-obligation free session — I'd love to come and meet your group.
Get in touch1 Monnow Keep, Monmouth
hello@memory-man.co.uk
07513 743429