Care Home Residents Mark Remembrance Day with English National Ballet
Staff and residents at Barchester’s Magnolia Court care home in Golders Green were treated to a unique creative workshop from English National Ballet to commemorate Remembrance Day. The session incorporated the national two minute’s silence at 11am to mark the exact time the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War in 1918.
English National Ballet’s Associate Dance Artist, Richard Bermange, led a creative dance workshop for residents followed by a recording and insight into a special extract of Akram Khan’s work Dust, premiered in 2014 as part of ENB’s Lest We Forget programme, commemorating the First World War. ENB company dancer, James Streeter, provided some insight into this moving work. Bringing the event to a close, residents listened, danced and sang along to famous war time music performed by ENB Associate Musician, Matt Hartley-Stevens.
Fleur Derbyshire-Fox, English National Ballet’s Director of Engagement said: “We are delighted to be able to share the outstanding work of our talented dancers and musicians with Barchester’s residents and staff. There was something for everyone in this session so it was a pleasure to be able to deliver it into all of the Barchester homes and hospitals on such a special day.”
General Manager, Octavian Stanciu said: “Remembrance Day is so important for many of our residents so it was very moving for them to be able to join in with this workshop and mark the occasion in such a lovely way. They especially enjoyed the singalong of wartime songs, it was a really special event. Our life enrichment team also arranged a reminiscence session using art and words. ”
Lucy Tomlinson, Resident Experience Manager for Barchester Healthcare, commented: ““We love working with our wonderful partners like English National Ballet to bring a wide range of fantastic experiences into our homes for all to enjoy. The session today was excellent, so evocative and nostalgic, our residents loved reminiscing about what the music and dancing meant to them.
