Between 2013 and 2015, Curiosity Creative has worked in partnership with the
Grange Centre, Newcastle and ceramicist Annette Poulson to record life stories
and experiences through digital storytelling and ceramics.
The Grange Centre is a charity providing day opportunities for elders who require
day care support to prevent social isolation, family breakdown, relapse of
functional illness, or to offer support and respite for families/carers. This enables
people to retain their independence and remain in their own homes for as long as
possible.
By offering the opportunity to engage with and tell stories using two very
different techniques, our project has helped reduce barriers for elders to express
themselves in different ways.
Our project also aimed to challenge participant’s perceptions of their own
abilities and looks to continue to challenge the perceptions of elders' worth and
abilities within the wider community, helping to dispel negative stereotyping. It
has also increased self-worth and confidence and invigorates morale of
participants.
It has proved to be a brilliant opportunity for participants to share fun times of
their lives with others. The joy in their faces when reliving parts of their youth
was a delight to behold and at times family and friends viewed them in a new
light. For others it gave a safe environment to express themselves emotionally
and to voice fears for the first time. Raised self-esteem and therapeutic value of
the project was clear to see and helped participants bond and create friendships
that would not have been possible without it.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
