Arts Council of Wales grant of £25,000

We are delighted to announce we have recently been awarded an Arts Council of Wales grant of £25,000 to develop a new piece of theatre with older people. This show, which has the working title “Stories to leave”, will explore how older people feel about approaching the later stages of life. Do we rage against the dying of the light or do we embrace the next phase with all its uncertainty? What are the stories we want to take with us and what are the memories we want to leave behind? This show will be created in the spring and will premiere at Chapter in June 2011.

Our weekly Tuesday group at Chapter has got off to a great start. The group is open to anyone aged 60+ and is a place to share memories and stories and have some fun. One group member recently described the group as “the highlight of my week! A place where I feel I can really be myself”. On March 15th at 6pm there will be an opportunity for family and friends to hear some of the memories and stories from our group in an informal performance.

Karin is now back from Japan! Her travel fellowship from the Winston Churchill Fellowship Trust has enabled her to research best practice in using theatre to educate people about dementia related issues. She has been working with Dr Yukimi Uchide and her colleagues, and working and performing with Kesen Boke Ichiza Theatre Company in Ofunato, Japan. We are organizing a special event where Karin will present her findings, and we will facilitate a discussion on creative ways of enhancing the lives of older people in care in Wales. Watch this space for details on this event.