The sessions aim to build on those social skills that remain intact, to encourage social participation, to strengthen emotional bonds between sufferers and their carers, and to help sufferes to become involved in simple creative or recreational activities.

 

An important function is to increase self-confidence and self-esteem for both the sufferer and the carer, this is assisted by the sessions being carried out in an accepting and encouraging environment.

 

Finally, an important part of the session is simply to take pleasure in the shared activities  and to have fun.

 

The Method by which the above aims are achieved are various - they include role-play, such as re-enacting sityations or events from the individuals past, cues or props used to trigger memories, and sensitive encouragement to recount personal life-experiences and events.