Our first Music Memories this week was at Eagle Lodge, the refurb appears to be going well. We were in the first-floor lounge and there weren’t a lot of people as some were going to a garden centre. It was, however, an interesting session with people interacting at various levels. For example, one resident who appeared to be sleeping was singing along, another resident whose capacity to sit in the room and sing was a challenge. He would get up and walk out of the room and then by attracting his attention as he walked in the corridor he would come back and sing again. It was a lesson in allowing people to access the session at a pace and level that they are able. As someone facilitating there were many lessons to learn about delivering for those with a lived experience of Dementia.
Saughton Park on Thursday was a welcome relief to the continuous rain we have had this last week. We were in the glasshouse and when I arrived, I thought we might have water everywhere but that was not the case, and so I could put out the chairs. When we began, I thought we were going to have a smaller number of people but five minutes after we started there was very nearly a full house.
We were at Ashbrook on Friday. We were back to pouring rain and wondered just how many people would arrive. We had a brilliant morning with two of the group who had spent the winter in America were back with us, it was great to see them. We also had new people and different people with us and the energy that was created was great. People always interact well at Ashbrook but on Friday it was particularly good.
Sharing your story means feeling confident with the environment and confident with the people you are sharing it with. It is important that all stories are respected as belonging to the person who is sharing. Understanding what emotional pain or strength lies behind the story of another person means being aware of how our own story impacts upon us. When this way of listening finds a home in the heart of the person telling the story and the person who is listening, it has the capacity to turn a music session from singing together and having fun into an experience that transforms the well-being of both parties.
Have a great week.