Dementia Unmuted Festival

St Mary’s Hospice is delighted to announce the return of the Dementia Unmuted Festival for its second year, taking place throughout March 2026. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural festival, Dementia Unmuted 2026 aims to reach even more communities, sharing the joy, creativity and connection that sit at the heart of good dementia care.

This year’s festival celebrates inclusion, diversity and community, offering four unique events across Furness, Millom and Windermere. Each event has been co-produced with people living with dementia and their carers, and is designed to challenge stigma, celebrate strengths, and create joyful, meaningful experiences together.

Inclusion Fest March 10th | 1–4pm | Barrow Cricket Club A joyful, carnival-style celebration of community and diversity. Inclusion Fest will welcome Furness Multicultural and Drop Zone, with dancing, live performances, flag-making, cooking demonstrations and food from around the world. The afternoon will also include a relaxed panel conversation with people with lived experience of dementia, creating space for open conversation while gently challenging common myths.

Wild in Windermere March 16th | 1–3pm | Fell Foot A gentle outdoor gathering rooted in nature, creativity and shared experience. The afternoon includes a song written together about care and living with dementia, campfire storytelling around a handmade campfire, a mindful lakeside walk, and relaxed lakeside Pilates, offering a calm and inclusive way to connect and be present.

St Mary’s Got Talent – Millom March 25th | 1.30–3.30pm | Millom Cricket Club A fun, inclusive celebration of creativity and ability. From the Time Warp to juggling, singing, magic and comedy, this feel-good event encourages everyone to take part, cheer each other on, and celebrate the many talents within the community.

Generations Unmuted March 26th | 1.30–3.30pm | Cavendish Room, Ulverston An intergenerational event bringing people living with dementia together with local primary school pupils. Ahead of the event, hospice staff have visited the school to support their journey towards becoming a St Mary’s Hospice ‘Dementia Chums’ school. The children will then join people living with dementia for games, shared reading,

laughing yoga, and a Dementia Chums certificate presentation celebrating learning, kindness and compassion.

Booking is essential. To book a place, please call Emma on 01229 444407 or email emma.sykes@stmaryshospice.org.uk.

Dementia Unmuted is a celebration of what’s possible when communities come together, proving that with understanding, creativity and connection, people can continue to live well with dementia.

• Inclusion Fest – March 10th from 1pm to 4pm
• Wild in Windermere – March 16th from 1pm to 3pm
• St Mary’s Got Talent – March 25th from 1.30pm to 3.30pm