The co-creation sessions carried out as part of the Memorable project provided critical insight into how a dementia-inclusive cultural engagement curriculum can be both meaningful and practically effective. Bringing together cultural practitioners, artists, formal and informal carers, and people with lived experience, the sessions were designed to test, challenge, and refine the emerging curriculum through real-world perspectives.
Analysis of the co-created discussions confirmed strong support for a values-led, experiential, and adaptable curriculum across cultural settings. Participants highlighted the importance of focusing on emotional connection, sensory engagement, and storytelling rather than on clinical or deficit-based approaches. The need for clear facilitation guidance, realistic delivery expectations, and sensitivity to institutional contexts emerged consistently across partner countries.
The analysis also revealed that the curriculum is particularly well-suited to cultural institutions and professional settings, where structured support, staff training, and organisational commitment can be aligned. While informal carers valued the content, they emphasised the need for simplified pathways and additional supports if elements are to be used outside institutional environments.
Importantly, the co-creation process was identified as a project strength. Participants reported that being involved in shaping the curriculum increased confidence, ownership, and relevance, while also surfacing shared challenges across countries and sectors. This collaborative approach helped to ensure that the curriculum reflects diverse cultural realities and can be adapted without losing its core principles.
Overall, the co-creation process strengthened the Memorable curriculum by grounding it in lived experience, clarifying its primary audiences, and ensuring it remains practical, inclusive, and transferable, thereby supporting cultural institutions in engaging people living with dementia with dignity, creativity, and care.
