Elsie joined the Creative Care drama group from the very beginning, some 18 months ago, at the Glastonbury Care Home. Already over 100 years old, she showed a zest for living, and an insatiable curiosity. Elsie would join in every creative activity, from sand play to drawing to music and movement. She participated in our 'Seaside Holiday' interactive performance and her immediate participation encouraged others to follow suit. She will be remembered for many years to come, and as a tribute, a new book for carers and therapists, 'Creative Care: creating an alternative pathway...' is dedicated to Elsie.
Which leads me into the sheer excitement and discoveries of my first Churchill visits to Malaysia and Czech Republic, and the great frustration with actualising of the visit to St Petersburg. I have heard that there is amazing work with the arts and especially masks and theatre, with elderly people. But to get access to it and a formal letter of invitation, which is necessary to get a visa, is quite another matter. Watch this space!
As a follow up to one visit in Malaysia, I am returning in September to see if an arts initiative can happen in 100 bed ward for elderly people. I shall divide them into groups of 10 beds, and work with trained volunteers to do music and movement, singing and storytelling. Lets see what happens!
May God rest her soul...
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