About bold
Dr Lorna Hill
Bold Project Facilitator, Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia (E-CRED)
Three words which describe me (according to a quick poll) : kind, creative, patient
I have always loved words and stories and am a passionate advocate of the positive impact that creative writing and reading can have on people’s health and well-being. I am particularly interested in using, testing and developing creative methods to engage people in the community and have a particular interest in working with those living with dementia.
For more information about my work and research here.
Magdalena Schamberger
Bold Creative Director; Honorary Professor, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Three words to describe me: curious, enthusiastic and playful
I am passionate about using creativity and the performing arts to engage, collaborate and co-create with people living with dementia.
My most recent production, Curious Shoes, has toured extensively to theatres, care homes, day and community centres across Scotland. I developed Artful Minds, an experiential training initiative for artists of all art-forms to engage with people affected by dementia.
I am an independent creative collaborator, theatre maker, facilitator and teacher. I combine 30 years of experience in physical theatre and clowning with 19 years of creatively engaging with people living with dementia. I regularly teach Compassionate Clowning across the globe.
Find out more about my freelance and theatre work here.
Dawn-Claire Irvine
Research Fellow (bold Project Manager) Edinburgh Centre For Research on the Experience of Dementia, E-CRED
Three words which describe me: creative, empathetic and championing
I have been surrounded by creativity for as long as I can remember. I am blessed to have had parents who nurtured my love of dancing and singing from the earliest age and understood that creative approaches in all aspects of my life suited who I am as a person. This approach gave me vision, purpose and passion as I went on to become a British and International ballroom dancing champion and I continue to hold these values today as a creative thinker, artist and supporter of others.
In my life and work I am in my happiest place when I feel deeply and know that I am contributing positive change and experiences to other people’s lives.
For the last 7 years I have developed a Dementia Friendly Community at Capital Theatres which is now regarded as a sector leading example of best practice. In that time I have also been a trustee for the Forget Me Notes Project and the Creating Better Lives Co-ordinator on behalf of Life Changes Trust.
Working alongside communities of people with lived experience of dementia and the opportunity to co-create numerous projects has stolen my heart. I am passionate about person-centred approaches so that people with dementia can flourish and I focus whole heartedly on what people can do and not what they can‘t. I have a strong interest in accessibilty, enabled built environments and dementia responsive theatre and have enjoyed sharing this across Scotland’s art sector.
Outside of work, you will find me ballroom and latin american dancing through life as a teacher and competition coach at Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance and as a competition adjudicator for DanceSport Scotland. I am absolutely delighted to have joined the bold team in August 2022.
Lorna Lyons
Bold Digital Content Manager
Three words which describe me: empathetic, open-minded, creative
I have many years of marketing experience in the publishing sector. Before the pandemic I was running my own business in hospitality. When that closed, I decided to shift my focus to working in care in the community. I had a particular soft spot for the people I cared for with a dementia as my own Gran lived with dementia and our family with her on the journey.
Joining the team at bold has allowed me to combine my marketing background with continuing to work with those living with dementia. I strongly believe that bringing light to what can be a scary diagnosis by using creativity is an inspiring objective, and one I am delighted to be a part of within the bold team.
Professor
Heather Wilkinson
Bold Project Co-Director; Director of Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia (E-CRED), University of Edinburgh
Three words which describe me: collaborative, curious, plate-spinner
My work focuses on developing better understandings of methodological and personal perspectives of people with dementia and redressing the neglect of the perspectives of those with learning disabilities and dementia. I am currently training as a psychotherapist in order to work more closely with people affected by dementia to understand their emotional experiences and needs.
Find out more about my research work here.
Dr Frankie Greenwood
Bold Project Facilitator, Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia (E-CRED)
Three words which describe me: hopeful, gregarious, creative
Having spent many years leading music workshops for people living with dementia, I have a strong interest in how connections between people with and without the ability to use words to communicate develop in creative ways. My interest led to PhD research that explores the experience of making meaningful connections with people with advanced dementia, and has brought deep insight into how relationships between people with and without dementia can continue to flourish throughout the dementia journey. Committed to the ongoing development of fully inclusive communities, I am excited to be one of the project facilitators on the bold project team.
Professor
Brendan McCormack
Bold Project Co-Director; Head of The Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery (inc. Sydney Nursing School) and Dean Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
Three words which describe me: high-energy, creative, person-centred
My work has always focused on person-centred practice, gerontological nursing, and practice development. This research has resulted in successful long-term collaborations in Ireland, the UK, Norway, The Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Slovenia and South Africa. I am particularly interested in the use of arts and creativity in healthcare research and development.
Joy Dias
bold Team Administrator
Three words which describe me: joyful, kind, patient
For the last 20 years I have worked in administration in health care and education sectors. I enjoy working with people and I’m particularly interested in creating healthy environments for people to live and work in, both mentally and physically. Joining bold has allowed me to be a part of that and it continues to be a rewarding experience.
