CSSO delivers Dementia Workshop at New Vic Theatre
A trio of musicians from the City of Stoke-on-Trent Symphony Orchestra delivered two sessions with the New Vic Theatre’s Dementia and Creativity Group in August.
With a special focus on participation and discussion, the group went on a musical and imaginative journey through the four seasons, complete with the sights, sounds and, of course, music, associated with each time of year. The group were keen to share their memories and recollections of each time of year, and to explore what each season meant to them or means to them now. As they shared their thoughts, the group built up a memory tree.
Gail Washington, The New Vic Theatre’s Dementia and Creativity Co-ordinator, said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to have the CSSO with us – we all thought the sessions were fabulous. The seasonal storyline the musicians created, and the use of different senses, hit the right spot for our group. I’ve never seen one member of our group sing along so much, and they said it was wonderful!”
There has now been so much research into the power and importance of music for people living with dementia and, as a Dementia Friendly orchestra, the CSSO is keen to champion and showcase this power through its work.
Programmes such as this cannot take place without financial support through our CSSO Together scheme. Find out more about how you might be able to support our work, and what we can offer in return, here.