PEN PALS REMINISCENCE PROJECT GAINSBOROUGH HOUSE, SWANAGE We delved into Memory Boxes and wove narratives around their contents; we made a display of a village shop window and took in mystery jars of larder items to guess what they were by their smell. We went armed with hats of all shapes and types to try on, or we pictured ourselves globe-trotting through travel mementos we brought with us from home. Above all, we spent six very happy Wednesday afternoons with between 12 and 20 Gainsborough House residents, staff and their visitors in Swanage, spinning yarns and inviting memories from all who wanted to share. Five of us from the Network – Pat Yonwin, Gail Aldwin, Jill Bryant, Sue Ashby and myself – were variously on team with a couple of wonderful volunteers, Monika Brewster and Gail Aldwin, who sat among the residents with a listening ear and a ready pen to jot down snippets which arose from all the willing chatter. Monika writes: I did enjoy the sessions and especially Helen's input. She is a great entertainer and made the sessions fun. Casey Townsend, Trainee Manager at Gainsborough House, writes: These sessions are particularly effective because they have provided both short and long term benefits. In the short term, I saw people smiling, laughing, singing and participating on a level which I had not witnessed before. In the long term, one of the Pen Pals hopes to join us as a volunteer in the New Year, and the folders which the team made for people can be used by our care workers for future reminiscing activities. Most of the residents we worked with had advanced dementia and this obviously curtailed the activities we intended to do and made it impossible to have real interactive sessions: like writing up their lives, completing their folders. It seemed very much of a struggle. But I felt that the residents profited from the games, songs, tasting etc. under the expert guidance - performance - of Helen. We found that using luggage labels was a very accessible and easy way to note any memories as these could then be kept in individual folders for reference or display later. Sessions were action-packed and peppered with spontaneous outbursts of song which the residents enjoyed and joined in with great gusto. Words to songs seemed to come easily, but several participants otherwise had quite high levels of confusion which meant that our times together were sometimes a little haphazard and disrupted. Still, everyone appreciated the liveliness and inclusivity of events and staff agree that the Pen Pals afternoons have been a great success and very well received. Our thanks go to all at Gainsborough House who were always warmly welcoming; we’re hoping to be able to maintain our links and visits there to build on what has been started in some shape or form.
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.