We are thrilled to announce Navigating Margaret 2024 Rehearsed Readings, a summer initiative funded by Arts Council England and the Coventry, Solihull, and Warwickshire Fund. This exciting project will see the development of a brand-new dementia awareness play, Navigating Margaret, ahead of a full-scale tour in Autumn 2025.
A Story of Resilience and Awareness
Navigating Margaret is a powerful and moving theatrical production inspired by real-life experiences. Based on stories gathered from Arts Uplift’s successful Suitcase Stories project, the play delves into the journey of a Worcestershire woman living with Alzheimer’s dementia, exploring its impact on both her and her family.
The story unfolds uniquely, weaving together Margaret’s remarkable past as one of Worcestershire’s first female pilots with her present-day struggles. With a touch of fairy-tale magic, the play uses text, movement, and music to create a captivating blend of realism and abstraction. Four talented actors will bring the story to life, raising crucial awareness about dementia, a condition affecting 1 in 14 adults over 65.
Jenny Davis, Executive Director of Arts Uplift, says, “We are thrilled to be bringing this rehearsed reading of the play to Coventry and Warwickshire after such an overwhelmingly wonderful response to the play last time in Malvern, with an addition this time of some informative dementia awareness training. We are bringing some new actors into the company, which is exciting, and they have a challenge ahead of them playing multiple characters. We look forward to hearing people’s feedback and weaving this into the next stage.”
The four actors in Navigating Margaret
Be Part of the Development Process!
Join Arts Uplift for the Navigating Margaret 2024 Rehearsed Readings taking place at:
11am on 12th July at St Peter’s Apostle Church, Leamington Spa (a BSL performance)
15th July at St Paul’s Church, Foleshill, Coventry
18th July at Griff and Coton Sports & Miners Welfare, Nuneaton
These free rehearsed readings offer a unique opportunity to experience the play in its early stages. Four actors will perform a script-in-hand version with props, costumes, and music. Your feedback is invaluable! Following the reading, there will be a 30-minute session to share your thoughts and help shape the final production.
Deepen Your Understanding with Interactive Training
Following the morning session, Arts Uplift invites you to an optional dementia awareness training workshop from 2.30 to 4.30 pm. This free, two-hour interactive session is inspired by forum theatre practices, where audience participation actively influences the performance. Through excerpts from the show, discussions, and engaging activities, the workshop will provide practical tools and a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
The training is perfect for:
Carers and loved ones of people living with dementia
Care staff
Individuals interested in learning more about dementia
People with early-stage dementia seeking an interactive learning experience
The rehearsed reading is two hours long with an intermission and feedback session. All venues are fully accessible.
Space for the dementia awareness training is limited to 3 participants per session. To book your spot or inquire about larger group bookings, please contact info@artsuplift.co.uk.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a vital conversation and witness the development of a powerful new play!
Enjoy a range of refreshments whilst enjoying interactive performances from talents Martin Riley (piano), Jiafeng Chen (violin) and Claire Fowler (Singing). The programme includes an improvised piano piece, a brief history of music through the centuries, a sing along to songs such as ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’, John Williams – Tango Por Una Cabeza (Scent of a Woman) and Massenet – Thais Meditation plus more!
Tickets are £15 plus £1.22 booking fee and will include a refreshment/snacks on arrival and further drinks can be purchased should you please! Tickets on the door are £17 plus booking fee if they have not sold out! Check our socials for updates! Tickets are non-refundable.
We will also have a fab raffle which includes prizes from Warwickshire Gin Company,The Royal Pug, Green and Wild Flowers, The Larder Tearooms/ The Avery, Health First foot and gait clinic and Golden Monkey Tea Company.
By coming along to our fundraiser you’ll be supporting the development and tour of our recent production, ‘Navigating Margaret’ and accompanying workshops. This compelling theatre piece, inspired by real-life stories from our Suitcase Stories project, focuses on the journey of a Worcestershire woman living with dementia. View the trailer for our dementia awareness play ‘Navigating Margaret’ by scanning the QR code below.
Currently, there are 6,500 people in Coventry and Warwickshire diagnosed with dementia and 11,700 estimated to be living with dementia and this is set to rise over the coming years.
If you can’t support us by attending please donate and support us in raising awareness of Dementia by clicking the link below!
Paint along with our artist, Jessica Hartshorn, to create this contemporary landscape artwork on canvas board. Following step-by-step instructions using acrylic paint to create a masterpiece like the one below! Tickets are £25 + £2.80 booking fees and include a drink on arrival as well as some snacks. Further drinks can be purchased should you please! There is the possibility to buy tickets at the door for £29 if they have not sold out! Check our socials for updates! Tickets are non-refundable.
We will also have a fab raffle which includes prizes fromWarwickshire Gin Company,The Royal Pug,Green and Wild Flowers,The Larder Tearooms/ The Avery,Health First foot and gait clinic and Golden Monkey Tea Company.
By coming along to our fundraiser you’ll be supporting the development and tour of our recent production, ‘Navigating Margaret.’ This compelling theatre piece, inspired by real-life stories from our Suitcase Stories project , focuses on the journey of a Worcestershire woman living with dementia. View the trailer for our dementia awareness play ‘Navigating Margaret’ by scanning the QR code below.
Currently, there are 6,500 people in Coventry and Warwickshire diagnosed with dementia and 11,700 estimated to be living with dementia and this is set to rise over the coming years.
Our goal this summer is to develop the script, engage professional actors for a rehearsed reading at St Peter Apostle church hall, Leamington Spa, in Coventry and Nuneaton and provide a training session for individuals supporting those living with dementia.
If you can’t make it, we’ll be also holding a Coffee Concert at All Saints Parish Church on Sunday 3rd March between 3-5pm for £20 plus booking fee. There will be coffee,tea and cake accompanied by interactive performances from Martin Riley (piano), Jiafeng Chen (violin) and Claire Fowler (singing leader).
If you can’t support us by attending, please DONATE and support us in raising awareness of Dementia by going to the link below
Training for Activity Co-Ordinators and people working in care with older people and people living with dementia in delivering amazing arts and crafts, singing, movement to music and creative writing sessions.
The next training will be in singing with Armonico Consort on 18th of March at Leycester House Care Home in Warwick, costs £74 per person. Tickets are non-refundable.
Free Movement, Music and Memories sessions in Kenilworth for older people with memory issues and their loved ones and wellbeing arts activities for Refugees in partnership with Warwickshire Libraries and Compassionate Kenilworth.
Arts Uplift brought a brand new intergenerational FREE arts project to Kenilworth in July 2023 to February 2024 thanks to funding from Comic Relief, Warwick District Council and Kenilworth Town Council.
First to get going was the older people’s Movement to Music sessions which involved simple stretching exercises to catchy well known songs and music, gently guided by experienced dancer Kath Kimber-McTiffen, with plenty of time for tea and chat. Participants did not need a diagnosis to take part, and those with limited mobility remained seated if they preferred.
“Kath is brilliant. She chose a great range of songs and made us feel so welcome. Before we knew it we were all joining in. It was great fun.” Participant
“They enjoy the exercise especially as its dance, so it doesn’t feel like exercise, they like the music, being together and being able to connect with each other over the tea break. I hear lots of sharing of things that might help / support / other groups etc.” dance artist, Kath
As well as being a lot of fun, participation in the arts can support mental well-being, improve brain function and physical coordination, as well as being a great way to make friends.
Refugee group
We worked with refugee families and young adults from Kenilworth on a visual arts and crafts project with Sioda from Earthbound at the Kenilworth Centre using a variety of mediums such as painting, collage and light.
“My observations are that for the participants (adult women in particular) this has been their only social event in the week. It’s a time when they can be out of their usual environment at the hotel and feel part of something. There is always plenty of chatter and smiles and they do really get so much out of meeting weekly. For some, painting and doing crafts is new to them and those who have been there from the start have grown in confidence and happiness. Some of the women are here alone without family and often stay in their room at the hotel. This has given them a social life and I would say some hope for their future life here in Kenilworth or elsewhere in the Uk. It’s the same for the young people, a chance to go somewhere else out of school and out of the hotel to feel part of a community.” visual artist, Sioda
“It’s very important for us because it reduces our stress and forget about our stress. It teaches us how to paint about the environment and to play with each other. It makes me happy.” participant
The older people and refugees as well as doing their own workshops exchanged artwork and photos of themselves and explored the theme of Celebrations. They also met in person and shared their exhibition and also participated in dance and movement over some refreshments. They shared stories about their lives. It was a wonderful occasion.
Join us for some gentle movement to familiar music with colourful props thanks to funding from Kenilworth Town Council and Kenilworth Lions!
Movement to Music is a series of workshops for over 65s which aims to improve your mental and physical wellbeing through gentle movement to familiar music.
Sessions include 1 hour of movement and half an hour of social time, so this will also be a great opportunity to meet new friends. Refreshments are also included.
At Kenilworth Library, at the back of the building.
Fridays 10.45am to 12.15pm
Free
For All Abilities (can be done seated)
Bookings + More Information: jenny@artsuplift.co.uk / 07946 585978
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates!
You have Successfully Subscribed!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
