Word power looking to help people with dementia - The Leamington Observer

Word power looking to help people with dementia

Leamington Editorial 16th Apr, 2022   0

STORY-TELLING and and poetry is aiming to help people living with dementia in Warwickshire.

Creative wellbeing charity Escape Arts is hosting weekly sessions at Stratford Methodist Centre where performance poet Rob Gee will share stories and write poetry based on conversations.

The sessions, funded by Warwickshire County Council, are free to Warwickshire residents living with dementia and their carers.

It is an opportunity for those living at home with dementia to share their experiences and stories, and people caring for them are also encouraged to attend.




There will be a different theme every week, and Rob will craft a poem based on the stories and conversations in the session.

Former mental health nurse Rob, has written and performed three solo shows about mental health, as well as being lead artist for the Comedy Asylum – a project which uses improvisation to write shows for the Leicester Comedy Festival.


His show ‘Forget Me Not: The Alzheimer’s Whodunnit’ has been used by several NHS trusts to train healthcare staff.

Escape CEO Karen Williams said: “Bringing people together in a small friendly group over a cup of tea is a fantastic way to share stories and support one another. I cannot wait to hear the new poetry which will be written by Rob during the sessions.”

Memories Alive has been developed by Escape and Arts Uplift as part of the Arts and Dementia programme for Warwickshire County Council.

Jenny Davis, of Arts Uplift, said: “We are delighted to have received funding to deliver this fantastic programme of workshops for people living with dementia and their carers across Warwickshire and are looking forward to hearing the stories and memories shared on themes such as holidays, going out, celebrations and school days.

“There is so much evidence that the arts are so good for well being now and I am so happy to be able to share this with the people of Stratford district.”

Memories Alive starts runs every Tuesdays at 1.45pm to 3pm. Booking is essential.

Contact [email protected] for information.

 

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