Many of the people who attend the centre are older and some have a diagnosis of dementia, so we knew this project had the potential to be a challenge, but would certainly have some benefits. We wanted the people who use the centre to be in control and take the lead in the project, which meant as a staff team we needed to be creative and ‘step back’ as much as possible.
One of the group members is Gillian, who is a fountain of knowledge about all things “SPOOKY” in the local area. With this in mind, we encouraged her to get involved in writing our ghost story.
Gill by her own admission is sometimes less keen than other people to join in with activities, so it was a pleasure to see her so enthusiastic and animated when we talked about and wrote the ghost story.
It took a few sessions to get the plot right and then we had to think of the sensory elements. Gill was delighted to be part of the decision making group on this aspect as well. The computer was used to find the sound effects; people were very specific about the ones we were to use, creaky doors and frightening organ music were a must! The story included a fair amount of Makaton signing. Gill insisted Mary Queen of Scots was in it - now be honest, do you know the sign for her?...well we do!
Once the story was written and props were gathered, the time had come to practice. Obviously we needed a story teller. Gill gallantly stepped up to the mark and a brilliant job she did too. We had to make a few tweaks to the way Gill read the story: to help her slow down we typed each line on individual cards and this gave Gill a hint at a slower pace and the audience a chance to experience the sensory side of the story.
All practice done, the time had come to perform in public. We invited people from Holmewood to be our first guests. Would Gill agree to carry on being the story teller? It was touch and go on a few occasions, but with some gentle encouragement and reassurance Gill stole the show! In fact she wanted to know who her next adoring audience were going to be as soon as our guests had left the building!
This was a new experience for all of us, but by taking it slowly, encouraging gently and being creative it has been a very successful project.
Carole Hodgson
Hasland Lifelong Learning
PS The picture shows Gill at the end of her first public performance