Dementia Action Week and my first steps...(3 min read)

Hello! My name is Jenny (Ayres) and it is a great honour to be supported by Trestle Theatre co and the Hertfordshire Community Foundation on this new creative (ad) venture, that seeks to actively involve those living with dementia in the joyful creation of new theatre - something I've been lucky enough to be part of for the last 20 years as a professional performer, writer and director.

To give you a little background, my step mum, cared for by my dad, first inspired this project when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s not long after lockdown. A strong and vibrant woman, with a very rich life experience (an ex inner-London primary school headteacher no less), saw this condition quickly and dramatically affect her ability for communication, her chatty personality and, perhaps most importantly, her confidence. And, since starting my research, it is a story I’ve heard again and again.

Yet it is still, often, an illness that no-one likes to talk about until it arrives with them. Sadly, however, that ‘arrival’ is becoming more and more common. In fact, it is now believed that one in every three people will develop dementia during their lifetime. It is a condition that is very much bursting through our front doors, settling into our armchairs and putting its feet up for the long-haul.

Liz, my step mum, has always been a huge believer in theatre as an educating tool and with that in mind, I wanted to create a project that would not only increase community awareness but allow all those people, just like her, to enjoy being part of a creative process. Especially, as I know, that the arts is one of the few areas those living with dementia can still enjoy well into their journey with the condition.

And so it is, with the kind support and guidance of Helen (Barnett) Creative Director at Trestle Theatre, that ‘The Stranger in my Clothes’ drama project is born…

It has been an utter pleasure to already meet with many of the kind, talented and creative people that work across this county to deliver activities for those with dementia and I can’t wait to work with them further to deliver drama workshops across their settings. This is the first part of this project - to gather real life stories and a wealth of creative material to then form a new and informative play.

And the first step in doing this is meeting with Hannah Reynolds, Creative Director of Imagination Dance CIC, next week to combine her expertise in Movement for Memory with my own extensive teaching experience (in movement, theatre mask and creating workshops for those with speech, language and communication needs) to design a series of dementia friendly participatory drama workshops to specifically gather those personal stories. It should be an exciting fission of skills and I can’t wait to get started!

So check back here soon to find out how it went. A very important part of this work is increasing local awareness and creating an open discussion within a community of people touched by dementia.

There is still so much more for us all to learn, and understand, and it is a journey I would like to share with you (as others have, and will, so kindly share with me) as we venture to create something brilliant, honest and life affirming about this ever increasing condition.

And so, in line with this week, its now time for ACTION! Let's get moving...

More soon!

Jenny

www.jennyayres.co.uk

www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week