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At Breathworks, we know that mindfulness changes lives. But the impact truly deepens when passionate, accredited Breathworks teachers bring their unique skills to those who need them most. This case study highlights one such teacher, Catherine Hawkins, who has combined her background in the arts with Breathworks Mindfulness to support people living with dementia and their carers.

A Personal Journey to Mindfulness & Dementia Support

Catherine Hawkins is an accredited Breathworks teacher with a background in dance, visual arts, and health. Her personal experience of caring for her father during his journey with Alzheimer’s led her to explore how mindfulness could ease the challenges of dementia—for both those diagnosed and their loved ones.

While initially drawn to Breathworks to manage her own chronic pain, Catherine quickly realised the potential benefits of mindfulness for carers and those living with cognitive impairments. She asked herself: What if my dad and I had taken part in a Mindfulness for Stress course in the early years of his diagnosis? Could it have changed our daily experience even more?

This question led Catherine to explore ways to bring mindfulness to others in a similar situation.

Creating a Mindfulness Course for Dementia

Catherine’s work was supported by the Breathworks Seed Fund, which helps teachers develop projects that bring mindfulness to new audiences. With this initial funding, she was able to design and pilot her course, ensuring that people with dementia and their carers could experience the benefits of mindfulness.

With initial funding from the Breathworks Seed Fund, Catherine began developing Creative Mindfulness for Dementia, an in-person adaptation of the Mindfulness for Stress course tailored for individuals with dementia and their carers. Additional funding from Dementia United, Big Brain Health Fund, and The Deal (Wigan) enabled the project to take shape.

In early 2023, Catherine piloted an eight-week course in Leigh, Greater Manchester, recruiting participants through local Alzheimer’s Society Cafés and Dementia Friendly activities. The course blended mindfulness with creativity, incorporating music, writing, and movement to engage participants in a meaningful way.

Here's a brilliant 2-minute video, where you can hear from Catherine and course participants direct:

Impact & Outcomes

One of the ways Catherine measured the impact of the course was through using the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index, a widely used tool for assessing emotional wellbeing. Participants completed the scale before and after the course, providing valuable insight into its effectiveness.

The programme had a profound effect on those who took part.

Wellbeing Improvements

• People with dementia: The average wellbeing score increased from 35% to 57%

• Carers: The average wellbeing score increased from 25% to 65%

• Two individual carers self of wellbeing more than doubled following the course.
  
  

Participant Feedback

A total of 12 participants took part in the course, including both people with dementia and their carers. Beyond the wellbeing scores, participants shared that the course had a lasting impact on their daily lives. Out of those who took part, nine people reported gaining something of lasting value, whether through mindfulness techniques, a sense of community, or improved emotional wellbeing.

• “I have been finding life very hard caring for my husband who has dementia. I found this (‘noticing the good’) message very profound and it has had a positive impact on my mental health.”

• “This course has helped me realise I’m not invisible.”

• “The mindfulness, music, and movement made me feel lighter, more connected.”
  
  

Lessons Learned & Challenges

Running the course highlighted several key learnings:

• Flexibility is essential – While the course was originally aimed at people in the early stages of dementia, it became clear that a person-centred approach was more beneficial, allowing people at different stages of diagnosis to participate meaningfully.

• Trauma-sensitive mindfulness is crucial – Carers sometimes became emotional during sessions, and some mindfulness exercises were more challenging for people with dementia. Catherine learned to create a safe, adaptable space for everyone.

• The power of creativity – Activities like music, creative movement, and storytelling helped participants engage with mindfulness in ways that felt natural and enjoyable. One participant even began bringing his own guitar, leading a sing-along each week.

• The importance of a supportive team – Having a co-facilitator and a volunteer Breathworks teacher provided vital support, ensuring that participants received personalised attention.

• Refreshments matter! – A welcoming environment, including good refreshments, helped participants feel at ease. When the group requested cream cakes, Catherine made sure they got them (alongside fruit!).
  
  

A Take Home Message

To capture the essence of the course, writer Christine Harter compiled the following poem using the words of participants. It reflects their shared journey—moving from exhaustion and worry to connection and renewal.

Drawing Breath

Exhaustion funnels down a road narrowing, Handful of blemishes, nagging, worrying. Stuck in monotony, merely surviving.

Turn it around. See our spirals flourishing.

Sun shining, sky vibrating with birds flying. Narrow road widening, its banks blossoming. Draw breath of friendship growing, kindness flowing.

How You Can Help

Catherine’s success story is just one example of what’s possible when Breathworks teachers are given the support and resources to bring mindfulness to those who need it most. With the right funding, more teachers can create life-changing projects just like this.

You can help make this happen. A donation to Breathworks supports the training, development, and funding of teachers like Catherine—ensuring that mindfulness reaches people facing pain, illness, and stress.

👉 Donate today

Contact

If you would like to get in contact with Catherine, her email address is [email protected]

Join The Conversation

Do you have experience of supporting someone living with dementia? Or perhaps you're inspired to share mindfulness with others in need? If you feel inspired by Catherine's story, please feel free to share something in the comments below.