Cianalas: How Scottish dementia friendly communities shaped design for wellbeing research

This paper reflects on how two dementia-friendly communities (DFCs) in Scotland shaped participatory research exploring interactive textiles for wellbeing. Drawing on two practice-based studies in Scotland, study 1 which was based in the Outer Hebrides and the study 2 based in both the Outer Hebrides and East Lothian; it explores how place, geography, culture, and community influence participation and sense-making. Using Research through Design (RtD) and person-centred methods, both projects engaged participants using or making interactive textiles. Comparing the two locations shows that the remoteness of the Hebrides, the Gaelic language, the historical textile industry and the surrounding environments fostered distinct forms of connection and belonging, while mainland workshops presented more of a challenge to find culture, interest in textiles and belonging. The paper argues that place is an active collaborator in research and explores how locality shaped participatory design research from ideation to findings.