Road Scholars - Intergenerational work in London
'Road Scholars has a treasure in you for this challenging, fun and fascinating week in London. You were just superb in engaging these kids - and us - in cobbling together the little pieces of performance for the week. I love that you also got them to do the interviews of each other for the film.
- in general for your grace, warmth, charm and professional skill in the theatrical components, as well as escorting us on our excursions for the week.'
H.B. June 2014
- in general for your grace, warmth, charm and professional skill in the theatrical components, as well as escorting us on our excursions for the week.'
H.B. June 2014
One to one work in a carehome
"I am writing to you to express my thanks and great appreciation for the wonderful difference Chloe is making to [my mother's] quality of life.
I met Chloe yesterday at [carehome name], and was very impressed with both the rapport she had established with my mum, and the diligent way in which she prepares interesting and relevant material (mainly Shakespeare) in order to encourage stimlating debate and conversation with [my mother].
I can honestly say that in the 13 years since she had her stroke, this has been the single most positive initiative undertaken. Thanks also go to the excellent care taken in the planning and allocation of Chloe to my mum by both Joanna Murphy and Age Exchange ; as I am certain a more suitable person could not have been found. My mother has been talking in a very animated way about Chloe and looks forward to her weekly visits. Given that my mother is both bed-bound and confined to her room, this one-to-one human contact is making a real difference to her life, not least due to the over-worked schedule of nurses and care assistants, who can not always dedicate any meaningful amount of quality time to patients. If there is any way that these sessions could be extended, I would be most grateful.
Thank you for a wonderful initiative - have a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year."
HL, January 2013
I met Chloe yesterday at [carehome name], and was very impressed with both the rapport she had established with my mum, and the diligent way in which she prepares interesting and relevant material (mainly Shakespeare) in order to encourage stimlating debate and conversation with [my mother].
I can honestly say that in the 13 years since she had her stroke, this has been the single most positive initiative undertaken. Thanks also go to the excellent care taken in the planning and allocation of Chloe to my mum by both Joanna Murphy and Age Exchange ; as I am certain a more suitable person could not have been found. My mother has been talking in a very animated way about Chloe and looks forward to her weekly visits. Given that my mother is both bed-bound and confined to her room, this one-to-one human contact is making a real difference to her life, not least due to the over-worked schedule of nurses and care assistants, who can not always dedicate any meaningful amount of quality time to patients. If there is any way that these sessions could be extended, I would be most grateful.
Thank you for a wonderful initiative - have a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year."
HL, January 2013
Reminiscence show working with older people and people with dementia
"I thought the show was a great success, not least because I asked [client name] if she enjoyed it and she said yes. Did she enjoy singing and dancing? Yes! I like to think she was not just making it up. She doesn't remember most things.
If the main objective was to get people to see the real person behind the dementia and disability, I think you got it spot on – particularly because of the use of old photos and the way we were able to participate ([client name] in particular with her singing).
In no way did the presence of people with dementia on the stage detract from the performance; rather they enhanced it. “Romantic” said Chloe to me afterwards. Keep up the good work."
JW, April 2013
If the main objective was to get people to see the real person behind the dementia and disability, I think you got it spot on – particularly because of the use of old photos and the way we were able to participate ([client name] in particular with her singing).
In no way did the presence of people with dementia on the stage detract from the performance; rather they enhanced it. “Romantic” said Chloe to me afterwards. Keep up the good work."
JW, April 2013
Reminiscence with Grandparents and Grandchildren from America
The ‘gifted actor/teachers’ were David & Chloe for this group. - This well planned and well paced program created a real Age Exchange between the grandparents and grandchildren. Morning improvisation sessions, led by two gifted actor/teachers, led us to explore past moments that held dramatic possibilities for a little improv presentation. When these came together on the final day, after only about 9 hours of working on them, the results were astonishing--
genuinely entertaining and sometimes deeply touching.
Afternoon tours, ably led, held just the right number of London sights to see. Evening plays--39 Steps, Matilda, War Horse, and Midsummer Night's Dream, fed our developing sense of Theatre and and how it works. This program far exceeded my expectations. It opened up and deepened a sense of Theatre on many levels, not least the ongoing theater in our own and grandchildren's lives. Bravo! Ginny Furtwangler
http://roadscholar.org/n/program/revphotvids.aspx?dID=1-620DFP
June 2013
Please see my blog for more details of this work
genuinely entertaining and sometimes deeply touching.
Afternoon tours, ably led, held just the right number of London sights to see. Evening plays--39 Steps, Matilda, War Horse, and Midsummer Night's Dream, fed our developing sense of Theatre and and how it works. This program far exceeded my expectations. It opened up and deepened a sense of Theatre on many levels, not least the ongoing theater in our own and grandchildren's lives. Bravo! Ginny Furtwangler
http://roadscholar.org/n/program/revphotvids.aspx?dID=1-620DFP
June 2013
Please see my blog for more details of this work