This October, we'll be running two workshops at The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon. Listening with your Eyes, created to build skills of empathy, insight and trust when working with people living with dementia, will be open to the public, with the Royal Shakespeare Company taking six places on each workshop for its own staff.
With our national and international productions being performed without words, we are an acknowledged leader in non-verbal communication, and have worked with the Health and Care sectors since 2014. We're passionate about supporting new models of person-centred care by providing training and performances within an ethos of acceptance and playfulness.
Listening with your Eyes focusses specifically on building skills of empathy, insight, listening and trust. Suitable for all experiences, it explores practically the many ways in which we make connections, with the emphasis on the non-verbal. It looks at the impact of body language, mood, eye-contact, touch, and gesture, and shows how tone of voice can change the meaning of the words we say. The workshop offers an opportunity for participants to see the powerful effect of non-verbal techniques, and their benefit in helping us make real and honest connections. It is suitable for anyone who interacts with people living with dementia, whether as a professional or as a carer in the home.
Josefa MacKinnon, Assisted Performance Coordinator at the RSC, commented, "Our partnership with Vamos Theatre is changing the way The RSC think about and now work with audiences and participants living with dementia...The quality and delivery from Vamos Theatre is always magnificent."
The workshop will be led by our Artistic Director, Rachael Savage. To book a place, visit our Eventbrite page
I attended the workshop Listening with your Eyes this afternoon, facilitated by Rachael, artistic director. I hoped to take away ideas and inspiration to help me develop my own empathy and understanding of ways to connect with people without either of us needing to use words. My work is in dementia care, currently developing a dementia care programme including training sessions for care homes’ teams. The session was so engaging and memorable, the 2 hours flew by. I enjoyed it so much, met some brilliant people and really have taken away learning on so many levels. Rachael gave so much to the group, and made everyone feel very relaxed and valued. To watch her communicate with the group and individuals in it, in the way she does so ‘completely’, was for me where most of the learning came from. Thank you Rachael and the RSC..
ReplyI feel very lucky to be one of the RSC staff on this workshop as it was one of the best workshops I have attended. Rachael was welcoming and engaging creating a safe space for all. I laughed, I learnt, some of us cried and I think all of us came away with a greater awareness how to support to people with dementia and how to be a better person.
ReplyThank you Rachael.
I am really interested in taking part in your Workshop at Stratford upon Avon theatre on 12th October, but it is difficult for me to get someone to care for my husband, while I come. I will look out for any more dates and times in this area (Warwick) and see if I am able to come, when my husband is at day care at “Galanos House”.
ReplyHi there, we're sorry you aren't able to make it to the workshop this time, but we will try and let you know about any future ones in the Warwick area - and they are always posted on our website. Hope to see you at one and thanks so much for your support. All the best.
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