Older people’s memories captured by secondary school students
Five short films were showcased at Oakwood Court care home on Monday 28 March as an intergenerational project called ‘Bringing your stories to life’ was celebrated at an Oscar’s style event in Haywards Heath.
The six-week project, saw students from Warden Park Academy visit older people at Oakwood Court, to get to know them and produce short digital stories of poignant moments in the care home residents’ lives.
Capturing special moments in social history, the project has been run by community artists at Everyday Creativity and Sussex Housing & Care, a not-for-profit provider of housing and care for older people. It has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The event celebrated the production of six films and welcomed care home residents, their families, students and their parents and teaching staff, as well as Alistair McPherson, Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath.
"It brought back some lovely memories"
Brenda, 83, who was partnered with Tallulah, 13, said: “I loved it, we had such fun doing the film and you never quite know how they’re going to turn out, but it brought back some lovely memories of my husband and I on our motorbike. I’ve liked talking to Tallulah each week and seeing the children visit Oakwood Court.”
The project has positively impacted the young people’s social skills. Lilia, student, shares the difference it’s made to her: “I’ve learnt patience and communication skills and if you’re typically a person who is socially awkward, it helps doing things like this to build your confidence.”
"Good for my son to get first-hand experience"
Kevin Quinn, father of one of the students said: “It seems the children and care home residents have got on very well together. It’s been good for my son to get first-hand experience of what it was like during the war and it has helped him talk to new people, especially the older generation. It’s made him realise the young ones haven’t got it all that bad!”
Amanda Hodge, Director of Housing and Care at Sussex Housing & Care said: “This project has been very special to us. We’ve seen connections develop between young and old and the visits have brought smiles, laughter and a real buzz around the care home. We’re pleased to have captured our residents’ important memories, and share these with friends, families, and the wider world – it’s a moment in history that won’t be forgotten! We look forward to continuing the relationship with the school and welcome young people to volunteer or enjoy work experience in our care home.”
"Beautiful anf poignant digital stories"
Artists from Everyday Creativity led the workshops and their experience working with local communities brought understanding and a sensitive approach to the project. Artist Lucy is pleased with the outcome: “It’s been wonderful to see the connections grow between the residents and young people each week. Using art, photography and creative research methods we supported the students and residents to develop and share a story they chose to tell. We're delighted to have partnered with Sussex Housing & Care to provide a platform for these beautiful and poignant digital stories to be shared.”
Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath, Councillor Alistair McPherson was impressed by the project: “This was a fantastic event within an inspiring project. It would be great to see it evolve further through other care home collaborations and affect so many more lives in such a positive way. The stories were a real insight into the resident’s lives and real platform to see how life for the older generations was some years ago.”
Here are the wonderful films produced by the Bringing our stories to life project in Haywards Heath:
"I just took off" - Joyce's story
"Something small can change your life" - Brenda's story
"He still has a good smile" - Lance's story
"We got through it" - Maisie
"We made the most of our young lives" - Sheila's story
Below is a film showing how the 'Bringing our stories to life' project developed over the six weeks, and the fun that was had along the way:
For more information about this project please contact Lizzie Gurr at Sussex Housing & Care: lizzie.gurr@sussexhousing.org.uk or Lucy at Everyday Creativity: everydaycreativitycare@gmail.com