Monika Lang

Founded in 2014, My Life Films is a UK-registered not-for-profit charity dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by dementia. The charity uses filmmaking to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. We have created a range of innovative, evidence-based services that help people living with dementia (PLWD) and those that care for them to live better lives after a dementia diagnosis. Our streaming service, My Life TV, provides PLWD with entertaining, dementia-friendly shows via an accessible web platform, keeping them occupied and connected to the world. We collaborate with prestigious partners - British Film Institute, British Pathé, Fremantle, The Royal Parks, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and more – with programmes chosen to match cognitive needs. The charity has also partnered with the Alzheimer’s Society and produced specially tailored programmes including their highly acclaimed Singing for the Brain Sessions. We also create reminiscence Life story films to bring comfort to people affected by dementia. Our trained filmmakers work with families to create a personalised life story film for individual PLWD, giving them a form of reminiscence therapy. The impact of all our services is improving the mental health and wellbeing of PLWD, enabling their paid care workers to deliver higher-quality care and giving their primary carers an opportunity for respite. We are committed to delivering lasting impact that we measure, and which is backed by robust research and testing. We always collaborate with other charities and organisations in other sectors where possible as we recognise the power of mutually beneficial partnerships and sharing learning. Our core service was validated in a 2019 clinical study by South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust (published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology) which concluded that our personalised life story films can decrease dementia symptom levels, improve quality of life, help paid care