Roundabout and the Big Lottery: a four year dramatherapy project for older adults

Abstract

In recent years there has been growing awareness of the needs of the ageing population in the UK. Dramatherapy is being increasingly used as a creative means of engaging with and supporting older adults, who often experience increased physical frailty, sensory impairment and/or dementia. This article explores a project that took place over a period of four years offering group dramatherapy in different London boroughs. The article covers the aims, setting up and delivery of the project and evaluation methods. Vignettes and case studies highlight specific interventions and responses, and along with outcomes, show the overall benefit of the project to the clients and organisations involved.

Keywords:

• dramatherapy
• Roundabout
• older adults
• dementia
• evaluation

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Big Lottery Fund under Grant number RC/2/010351822

Notes on contributors

Lynn Cedar

Lynn Cedar, Co-Founder of Roundabout, has worked with a diverse number of groups and ages for over 30 years as a dramatherapist. Lynn was one of the first tutors of CAST Creative arts supervision training and is employed by Roundabout as a dramatherapist and Co-Project Director.

Susan Crockford

Susan Crockford has worked with different client groups and has a particular interest in working with older adults including those with dementia. She worked for many years in the NHS in acute psychiatry, has been with Roundabout since 1985 and heads up the North London office where she is clinical lead.

Judy Elias

Judy Elias is a freelance dramatherapist, primarily with Roundabout, and has worked in a wide variety of settings including learning disability day centres, mental health services and schools. In recent years she has specialised in working with older adults (often with dementia) in residential care.

Jane Jackson

Jane Jackson specialises in working with older people including those with dementia, adults with all levels of learning disability and adults with autism, in a variety of settings. Jane is a freelance practitioner, who also works with Roundabout, and worked for many years within the NHS.