Evaluating the Impact on co-designers and audiences of a Photographic Exhibition by Participants with Memory Problems

We aimed to explore feelings and changes in perception among people co-producing and viewing a photography exhibition created with people living with memory problems, who were participating in the APPLE-Tree (Active Prevention in People at risk of dementia throughLifestyle, bEhaviour change and Technology to build REsiliEnce) study, evaluating a lifestyle intervention aiming to reduce dementia risk. We explored whether and how the exhibition provided audiences with insights about everyday lives of people with memory concerns and challenged stigma around having memory concerns.Participants collaborated with a photographer/artist to represent things that were important to them, their experiences of memory concerns, and their involvement in the APPLE-Tree programme, through arrangements of photographs and accompanying texts. We surveyed thelaunch exhibition audience; and qualitatively interviewed the study team who co-produced the exhibition.Approximately 200 people attended the exhibition launch, of whom 97 completed the survey.We interviewed two co-producers with lived experience of memory problems and sevenacademic co-producers. In our thematic analysis of survey responses and interview transcripts, we developed three themes: (1) Increasing understanding by giving voice to participants: Seeing the people behind the work; (2) The power of visual methods to communicate research findings;(3) Leaving with a message of hope: spreading APPLE-Tree intervention messages.We discuss the value of public engagement created by working with older people with memory concerns using arts-based co-production, the impact of the exhibition, and its effectiveness in increasing understanding and awareness of memory concerns, memory loss and dementia prevention.