4, 4, 4 & 2
A Cultural First in Dementia Storytelling
Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK. It is a condition that affects us all – directly or indirectly – yet it remains deeply misunderstood. The public perception of dementia is often shaped by fear, stigma and a lack of awareness, leaving those diagnosed and their carers, family and friends feeling isolated. Traditional narratives focus on loss and decline, rarely acknowledging the full lived experience of those navigating the condition.
At boom saloon, we believe that storytelling and design have the power to change this. Through our publishing and cultural initiatives, we have worked to bring lived experience into the public domain – centering the voices of those with dementia to shift perspectives, increase empathy and create tangible improvements in care and community support.
Why sponsor us?
While medical advancements continue, the social and emotional aspects of dementia care remain underserved. Many people living with dementia feel their voices are erased, their experiences reduced to statistics or medical terminology. There is a need for more human-centred, creative interventions that bring these voices into spaces that influence policy, design decisions and community support.
To date, we’ve worked across print, digital and events to foster this change. Our features, newsletters and publications have introduced new ways of thinking about dementia: placing the realities of living with the condition at the forefront. Now, with 4,4,4&2, we are taking this work one step further for a showcase finale, using an innovative storytelling and design approach to transform public understanding.
4,4,4&2 – already kindly sponsored by Age Scotland, Canon, GF Smith and Create Future – is more than a book; it is a living, evolving representation of the dementia experience. Mapping the life of Maggie Watson, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia in 2021, the book mirrors the cognitive changes associated with dementia through its unique format. A ‘living cookbook,’ it combines personal artefacts and stories with an innovative disappearing ink, ensuring that no two copies of the book remain the same. Each warps and fades differently, just as the dementia experience varies for each individual.
This approach will not only challenge misconceptions but will also serve as a powerful tool to bring people with dementia into conversations where their voices are often missing. The book and its surrounding events will create a bridge between lived experience and the sectors shaping the future of dementia care: design, healthcare, community services and beyond.
The Event: A Cultural Intervention in Dementia Care
The launch of 4,4,4&2 will take place as part of a fully accessible, two-day festival, designed to maximise impact and engagement. This will serve as both a celebration of the book and a vital space for discussion, connection and change-making.
Key elements of the festival:
- Talks & Readings: Bringing together people with dementia, their carers, creative practitioners and healthcare professionals to share insights, challenge narratives and spark new ideas
- Interactive Experiences: Hands-on activities that invite audiences to engage directly with the book’s themes, exploring memory, identity and perception
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Discussions that unite the cultural and healthcare sectors, highlighting how creative approaches can enhance dementia care and community support
- Networking Opportunities: Connecting leaders from health, policy, design and publishing to create meaningful partnerships that extend beyond the event
The festival will exemplify boom saloon’s commitment to using creativity for positive change, placing lived experience at the heart of the conversation in a way that is accessible, thought-provoking and transformative.
Sponsorship Benefits
Headline Partner (£5000)
For organisations looking to take a leading role in redefining dementia narratives and influencing the future of dementia care.
Benefits:
- Exclusive Headline Partner status across all launch and festival communications
- Prominent branding on event materials and digital promotions
- Opportunity to co-curate a panel or workshop during the two-day festival
- Opportunity to have a stand during the two-day festival
- Dedicated feature in boom saloon’s newsletter and website
- Bespoke PR and media opportunities to highlight the partnership’s impact
- 5 complimentary copies of 4,4,4&2
Innovation Partner (£2000)
For organisations at the forefront of design, storytelling and healthcare innovation.
Benefits:
- Recognition as an Innovation Partner on event materials and digital promotions
- Opportunity to host a roundtable discussion during the festival
- Company spotlight on boom saloon’s digital channels
- 2 complimentary copies of 4,4,4&2.
Community Partner (£500)
For organisations dedicated to improving dementia care and community support.
Benefits:
- Recognition as a Community Partner on event materials and digital promotions
- Company spotlight on boom saloon’s digital channels
- 1 complimentary copy of 4,4,4&2
Impact & Legacy
4,4,4&2 is designed to have a lasting impact, both in shifting public understanding of dementia and in influencing future approaches to care. This work will continue beyond the festival, feeding into policy discussions, community programmes and creative initiatives that prioritise lived experience.
Sponsors will not only support a cultural first in dementia storytelling but will also play a key role in fostering a more empathetic, inclusive and innovative approach to healthy ageing.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact us via the button below.