A BRADFORD on Avon photographer has scooped a top award for her work in raising awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia, after her mother was diagnosed with the disease this time last year.

Justine Frost, 45, of Monkton Farleigh, received the highly commended accolade at the City of Bristol College Graduation Show for Professional Photography students and triumphed in the Best in Show and Public Ballot prizes.

The mother-of-three was inspired to show the emotional journey of caring for her mother in her work after her mum was diagnosed with mixed vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s last year.

“We knew for some time that my mum wasn’t well, but it took a while to get a diagnosis. It was from about Christmas that she wasn’t coping on her own,” Mrs Frost said.

“I think the inspiration or the photos came from what was happening in my life and it was something that I needed to express.

“The images were taken around Norfolk when I was helping mum to live independently and a lot of the work came out of that. I definitely found it therapeutic and a good way to explore my feelings.”

The former teaching assistant at Monkton Farleigh Primary School, who has three children, also published a book called As Memory Fades to further highlight the cause which was showcased at the City of Bristol College exhibition, exploring the theme of “disappearing and fading away”.

Mrs Frost has since been contacted by Brace, a charity based at Bristol’s Southmead Hospital which funds research into Alzheimer’s and other causes of dementia.

“I’ve had a really good response from people about the photos and the idea and I am hoping to do more work in this area." and try to get involved more with charities whose work mirrors raising awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s,” she added.

“I think I am generally interested in this type of work in highlighting causes as I have previously done a project with Julian House in Bath.”

Mrs Frost’s mum is now living at Warrington Lodge care home in Corsham.

“She has actually improved since going there. I think being in such a safe environment has allowed her to relax within herself and she is now a lot calmer and happier which in itself is inspiring.”

Her work can be seen at ww.justinefrost.co.uk