july 12 - 18 | 2017
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circulating in wangaratta, myrtleford, bright, mt beauty, beechworth, yackandandah, rutherglen, chiltern and districts
The beat goes on By KYLIE WILSON
PERCUSSION AND PEOPLE:
Wangaratta West Primary School teacher Georgina Wills (centre) practices drumming with Heartbeat student participants Zoe Dineen and Campbell Timms. PHOTO: Kylie Wilson
GARDENING WITH
DEBBI
RSPCA
WITH
FELIX
MOVIE BABY
DRIVER
WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
SEVEN years after it first started, Wangaratta’s Heartbeat community health program continues to change the lives of people involved with it. Heartbeat is a collaborative community program, and Wangaratta West Primary School teacher Georgina Wills, local physiotherapist Donna Samon, and occupational therapist Stacey Manfield of Northeast Health Wangaratta first piloted the program in 2010. It consists of six hourly sessions hosted by the school during most school terms, with visiting participants, who have been through brain injuries or strokes, learning to play African drums guided by a music teacher and paired with selected students. The aim is to improve physical and mental function in an enjoyable way, while helping the clients to re-engage with their local community. Depending on numbers, clients can choose to repeat the program if they feel they are still benefiting. Georgina said everyone involved benefits from the program. “Students display a natural empathy and an instinctive ability to support the learning of their adult partner,” she said. “They adapt their playing and the rhythms to enable their partner to participate to their fullest potential, while at the same time gently challenging them to move outside their comfort zone and achieve their therapeutic goals. “The connection forged between the student and adult is extraordinary. “We believe that this is what makes the group so unique and successful.” She said adult participants also gain confidence and motivation by taking part in the classes and sometimes even form friendships with their student mentor. continued page |
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