Mapplewell Manor Care Home Residents Discover The Art Of Poetry Making
Since 14th September 2015, Helen Smith the activity co-ordinator at Mapplewell Manor has been holding poetry sessions with a group of residents. Studies have shown the effectiveness of using arts impacts on the positive factors that nurture health and wellbeing and has a demonstrable effect on improving quality of life.
Staff at Mapplewell Manor can see the benefits of these group sessions with residents being motivated and inspired. It helps reduce inactivity and so improves the mental well-being of the individuals.
Helen Smith said “These sessions have been so beneficial, it provides relaxation and helps them connect with others in a supportive environment and increases their confidence, giving them a sense of pride and achievement.”
On Tuesday 26th April Mapplewell Manor held a Spoken Word event and invited residents family and friends along to listen to the residents read out their poetry. Special guests included Diane Hinchliffe from Creative People Development (who mentored Helen) and Tony Shephard from Shephard Creative.
The residents will get the opportunity to showcase their talents at ‘THE SENSES’ The South Yorkshire Dementia Creative Arts 8th Exhibition. The Spoken Word event will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Barnsley on Tuesday 10th May between 13:00 – 15:30.
Poem:
‘The Senses’ – The Ultimate Card
Butterflies are for freedom
Flowers smell nice and you get different scents
You can get different flowers with different scents
Bees from flowers, nice colour, smell nice, first thing at morning
I like the colour pink and I like the flowers and butterflies all way round
It’s nicely shaped around the edges
Butterflies, very pretty flowers, lovely coloured card – pink
Could it be a Birthday card? I’ve not looked inside
It says ‘The Senses’ – I like the arrangement – its a beautiful shape
I don’t understand what these are – they are just decor
If you look at it truly, they could fly away,it says ‘The Senses,’ its georgous
I could not do better myself, could not make it better,
It’s beautiful work, it’s so perfect, you should be able to smell it
I’ve embossed the pink glitter – for touchy, feely,
I’ve mounted it onto silver card to make it stand out
Sprayed flowers with room fragrant spray
Thought it was a good idea to create a card towards the exhibition ‘The Senses’
I enjoyed making it
Medium: Karen
Group Poem: Karen, Pauline, Betty, Kathleen, Margaret, Susan, Dianne
Poem:
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS – WE’RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!
That needs a lot of patience
It’s lovely
You’ve got to be gifted to do something like this
It’s very good, picturesque
The’re all here – can you see them, the’re lovely
That little girl with that dog – she’s looking at it and laughing
Think it’s wonderful – the attractiveness, variety of colours
There’s six of em, bluebirds, still blowing about and looking for something
I love the lion, looks like a thug – out of my way I’ve got things to do
Pretty girl and that looks like Toto
Judy Garland, Red shoes – oooh yes, oooh now then, Tin Man,
Follow the Yellow Brick Road! ‘The Wizard of Oz’
The Lion wanted courage
What did the Tin Man want? Oil
The Scarecrow wanted a brain
Dorothy wanted to go home
The rainbow and the castle adds a little bit more – the sun is shining
It tells a story
A happy story at the end
There are a few problems with the Witch but the Lion sorted her out
All in all it’s a happy story
I’ve had great pleasure in making it
Media created by Marjorie and a little help from her friends
Group poem: Marjorie, Louise, Eda, Pauline, Doreen, Ken, Doreen S, Molly
