Archive for 2015
New. Beginning.
I am new to the group. On my first day, I mostly listen and soak everything in, having to remind myself that Peter, Pippa and Shazea have known each other for just over a week. They talk of their experiences in the home, forging relationships, of taking care of themselves and of questions… Question after…
Read MoreThe story of ageing
Ageing is a project, a work of existential art, a story that one continues to write until one can write it no more – it does not end when one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by a doctor. Peter Whitehouse said this, in his book The Myth of Alzheimer’s where he urges us to change the…
Read MoreThoughts as they come…
Training four new Living Words team members gives me a gift I wasn’t expecting. I am witnessing the work in action on mass and it enables me to see its corners. I see the trust in the process that the writer has to ‘hand over’ to sit with a person. I see how speedily connections…
Read MoreSome first impressions…
I’m struck by what a complete world the care home is. That it has a culture of it’s own. When we walk into the first room the TV is on and four people sit very close but quite separate from one another. Three of them are sleeping. It strikes me how isolated this feels. I…
Read MoreFirst day in the care home…
“My mother’s name was Maria. My father’s name was Landert Adrianus. I have no sisters, only brothers, Willem, Johan, Hank, Piet, Klaus and Adrian. I love my brothers, they are good boys. I’m not a youngster anymore. I don’t even remember my age. But I do remember my name…”. I am sitting with A–, at…
Read MoreRe:New beginnings…
Yesterday we started Re:New – the first part of our ACE funded project Re:Generation. Re:New is our first group training. The team are being trained on site in the care home, alongside workshops and personal reflection in the rehearsal room. From a humbling 325 applicants, the 4 new Living Wordies are: Katherine Orr, Peter Salmon,…
Read MoreRe: Generation – ACE funded project kicks off 2015!
We are thrilled to have been awarded funding from Arts Council England for our project Re: Generation. DO YOU WANT TO JOIN US? We are looking for 4 new Living Words artists for Re:New, the training part of this project. Happy 2015 to you and your loved ones!
Read MoreNormal? Festival of the Brain
Living Words is thrilled to be working in partnership with Quarterhouse Folkestone and Folkestone Fringe to be curating Normal? Festival of the Brain, in May 2015. Exploring the brain from all angles Susanna is working with Allegra Galvin and Di Dever to present workshops, discussions and performances to spark debate and give a helping hand…
Read MoreDementia Congress 2014
Susanna led a taster workshop with colleague Danuta Lipinska at this year’s Dementia Congress. INSIDE OUTSIDE allowed participants to reflect upon their working processes, in particular their communication and listening skills with specific residents. A meditative start to the congress day, the workshop included the use of silence, mindfulness and the spoken and written word. …
Read MoreArts and Health Evaluation…
An eternal issue for all those working in the arts, and in particular in arts and health contexts – Mita Pujara organised a day long dive in to evaluation processes and called upon artists to discuss what an ideal evaluation process might indeed be. Lots of food for thought emmerged and we were delighted that…
Read More