Theatre company bringing Newtownabbey care home residents’ stories to life

The project creatively interacts with residents at facilities across the province, including Whiteabbey Care Home and Inniscoole Day Centre in Rathcoole, stimulating conversations and encouraging them to share stories from their past.

A selection of these stories will be developed into theatrical films and shared with residents and councils.

The project, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through its National Lottery Fund, regional councils and Doyle Shipping Group, features five short theatrical films based around the theme of home, community, school days, work and going out.

It provides employment to 11 professionals over 22 weeks as well as creating innovative social interaction with the participating nursing and care homes (operating within Covid-19 guidelines).

The films will feature actors, music, visuals and poetry and will be broadcast between November and December on c21 Theatre’s YouTube Channel and social media platforms.

c21 Theatre Company worked with the education departments within local museums to supply reminiscence loan boxes to the nursing and care homes who used them in workshops facilitated by the activity coordinators located in the homes.

The loan boxes contained historical items ranging from powdered milk from WWII to 1970s shoes.

The stories gathered provided the project’s writers Gary Wilson, Tom Rowntree-Finlay and poet Shelley Tracey with content for brand new work for the films.

The films which are directed by Stephen Kelly and produced by Donna Hunter, feature local actors Colm McCready, Christina Nelson, Debra Hill and Eoghan Lamb.

Director of ‘Through the Glass’ The Reminiscence Project, Stephen Kelly, from c21 Theatre Company, said: “Covid-19 has been very challenging for us all, but especially has had a huge impact on the arts and social care sectors.

“As a touring theatre company, we quickly had to find ways to adapt as well as remaining true to our ethos of providing relevant and memorable theatre experiences.

“With the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, councils, museums, care and nursing homes we believe we have developed a project that clearly demonstrates how the arts is vital to connect with and give our communities a voice - especially to care and nursing homes.

“The Through the Glass Project has helped to stimulate conversations where residents have opened up and shared their personal stories. With so many stories to choose from the challenge was deciding on which stories to use.

“It has been a privilege to have these stories shared with us and we hope the films we have produced will help to transport residents back in time creating some poignant memories.”

Damian Smyth, Head of Literature, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added: “The enormous benefits of projects like this for older people cannot be overestimated and demonstrates the significant power of the arts in positively impacting physical health, mental health and wellbeing.

“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support this wonderful project thanks to National Lottery players and congratulate c21 Theatre Company in being so innovative and creative during this restrictive time for artists and arts organisations.

“Not only will this project bring joy and creativity to older people but it will also provide much-needed employment for artists and actors.”

Follow the Project on c21 Theatre Company’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. For further information on c21 Theatre Company, visit www.c21theatrecompany.com

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