My Mother's Mind is Like a Garden
The video tells the story of a young woman caring for her mother who has a form of dementia. She likeness the changes she has observed in her mother to that of a garden, with its changing seasons and plants.
There are currently 700,000 informal carers for the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK. 63.5% of these carers say they have had no or not enough support. Looking after a friend or relative who has dementia is often very challenging. But it’s equally important to look after your own health. Carers who get less support are much more likely to feel stressed and depressed. Unlike with other conditions, it can be difficult to share these feelings with someone with dementia, leaving carers feeling very isolated and alone. It’s important for carers to acknowledge these feelings, and to remember that there’s no right or wrong way to feel.
The animation encourages the user to seek support if they are struggling with an aspect of carer. The tone of the animation speaks to the user using a common understanding of the emotional strain that dementia places on their shoulders. The message displayed at the end of the animation directs the user to visit the official Alzheimer’s Society support page where they can explore and utilise the information and knowledge on the website. Encouraging users to explore their emotions will hopefully lessen the guilt that most carers experience.
Storyboard
Awards and Recognition
Shortlisted for the Young Nottingham creatives in the category of animation and digital media (2022)
Accepted to the August edition of Short Stack (2022)