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College News
15 July 2004
Merlewood residents are stars of the silver screen
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Student volunteers at Royal Holloway, University of London brought a volunteering project at Merlewood Nursing Home to a grand finale last Monday. As part of the College's Community Action Programme, students have been working on the Reminiscences Project, visiting the residents of Merlewood Nursing Home up to twice a week over the last 10 months. |
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Through the use of creative role-play, theatre and discussion, the volunteers have organised a host of activities to encourage the residents to re-kindle their memories, while producing a video documentary of the sessions. Monday marked the last day of filming, and the end to a special project. A copy of the video will now be given to the residents as a souvenir. |
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The students have been trained by The Age Exchange, a Blackheath-based organisation who teach drama techniques, which the students then employ to generate lively discussion among the elderly. Internationally renowned for its reminiscence work, Age Exchange aims to improve the quality of life of elderly people, by teaching family carers and volunteers essential skills to bring out memories and enhance communication. It is thought that such activities can help to prevent the onset of dementia, which is often socially isolating and distressing.
Matthias Rosenberg, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Royal Holloway said: "This project has been almost entirely volunteer-led, with logistical and training support from the College and The Age Exchange. The volunteers' dedication to their work has produced some wonderful inter-generational friendships. Hopefully the project will expand in the future to include other care-settings."
To find out more about volunteering at Royal Holloway visit www.rhul.ac.uk/services/volunteering
For further information on Age Exchange visit www.age-exchange.org.uk
ENDS
For further information contact Royal Holloway, University of London,
Press Office:
Vicky Cousins
Assistant Press & Communications Officer
01784 414480, victoria.cousins@rhul.ac.uk
Christine Long
Press & PR Officer
01784 443967, christine.long@rhul.ac.uk
