06/07/2022
Hello, my name is Chelsea. I have a First Class degree in Drama, Education and Community which I studied at York St John University. I am currently finishing a Masters in Applied Theatre which has been challenging but so rewarding
Throughout my studies I have worked with various community groups, young adults with learning disabilities, children within a mainstream school, people with mental health but more in depth with those living with dementia. The focus of my dissertation was around the significance of play within drama and dance workshops with those living with dementia. I was very fortunate enough to have interviews with Penny Greenland, the director of Jabadao, and Honor Hoskins, the Creative Director of Vamos Theatre, who shared so much knowledge which ultimately altered the way I thought about the field of applied theatre.
I now combine work as a part time care assistant within a care home setting with residents who are living with dementia and running Movement, Music and Me in the community.
Which leads me to where I am now. I am currently in the early days of setting up Movement, Music and Me but already have some fantastic opportunities coming up. All my life I have danced, in musicals, dance competitions and festivals. It wasn’t until part way through my degree when I was able to put my research into practice that I understood the benefits that dance and music had for particular community groups. I feel so lucky to be able to use my passion of the arts and movement to help those living with dementia with socialisation, independence, communication, identity, mobility and cognition and overall have a positive affect on an individuals quality of life. It fills me with pride to see a room full of colour and laughter, to see their husbands or wife’s face beam when they are able to connect with their loved one or the pure joy of seeing someone living with dementia sing every single word to a song despite a decline in their cognition. For me movement and music holds so much potential and I understand it is not a cure for dementia but a course of action that we can all take to make the experience of living with dementia a little bit more light-hearted.
