by Caroline Barnes
The Play
Based on real-life stories from people affected by dementia that we gathered from Arts Uplift’s successful Suitcase Stories project in partnership with Museums Worcestershire, Navigating Margaret, is an exciting theatre production about a Worcestershire woman’s journey living with dementia and how it affects her family. Margaret was one of the first women to fly an aeroplane in Worcestershire and we also look back at her life from the 60s to the present day (her childhood, growing up and meeting the love of her life Charlie a ground breaking inter-cultural relationship) as her story unfolds.
The play weaves text and movement with a fairy-tale feel to it mixing the real and abstract. Four diverse professional actors will help to tell the incredible stories and raise much needed awareness and education about dementia (1 in 14 adults over 65 years have dementia and 1 in 3 people born today will develop the disease).
Audience members thoughts
“Wonderful. Magical. Informative. Helps dispel the fear & concern around dementia.”
“I thought the play was incredibly well written, the emotional aspects were very hard hitting, but very eye opening.”
“It was charming and poignant and so beautifully detailed, real emotional lift.”
A Question and Answer session will follow each show with a panel including dementia experts, members of the cast and the Producer. This will enable the audience to explore the subject matter and the creative journey. Local dementia support information will be available to take away.
FEEDBACK FORM FOR THE SHOW
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Watch Navigating Margaret the trailer
Who should see the play
The play and associated dementia workshops are suitable for older people, professional care staff, NHS workers, health students, volunteers, carers and family members, people with early stage dementia, theatre goers and anyone generally interested in dementia.
The show and workshops are not suitable for people with middle and late-stage dementia. Age recommendation 12+ due to occasional mild swearing.
Dementia Awareness Workshops
Using excerpts from the show and Forum Theatre techniques, the workshops are a practical introduction to dementia, dementia care and prevention. Low pressure interactive play opportunities and practical explorations build an actionable and experiential understanding of dementia.
What to Expect:
- Interactive Learning: Immerse yourself in a dynamic learning experience that combines informative discussions with hands-on activities.
- Expert Guidance: Benefit from the expertise of our 4-person team and dementia specialist, including actors who will share excerpts from their thought-provoking show.
- Actionable Insights: Gain practical knowledge and skills to enhance dementia care and promote preventive behaviours.
Hear what our participants have to say:
“Absolutely brilliant”
“Very informative and great that it got people physically involved”
In previous workshops all participants stated they learnt something new, including the complexity of the disease and the impact it has on family & friends. 100% said they would recommend the training, stating that “It was a positive way of looking at how to make a difference” and “Interactive learning is so much better than being talked at!”
Testimonial
Kevin Moffatt, dementia researcher (just retired from Warwick University)
“Professionally, I would consider that everyone should immerse themselves in Navigating Margaret. As a dementia-research neuroscientist, and the Outreach Director for Life Sciences, I am always looking for ways to use the power of the creative arts to bring this subject to the forefront. Having participated in two of the rehearsed readings and their associated workshops, I was hugely impressed. Arts Uplift’s research and dedication to the science, social implications and the personal interactions of families, makes for an intelligent, pertinent and factual insight into this critical area of disease and care.”
Arts Uplift are committed to being as environmentally responsible as possible. Please consider travelling to the show and workshops by public transport, on foot or car share.
Book Your Place
Live performance
Pay what you can. All donations appreciated.
14 November 7pm – Sikh Cultural & Sports Centre, Leamington Spa, CV31 3LZ. Parking at the Gudwara Temple car park off Tachbrook Park Drive CV34 6RH
17 November 10.30am – Indian Community Centre, Cross Rd, Coventry, CV6 5GP. Parking at the Banquet Suite care park. The Indian Centre is to the right of this building.
21 November 7pm, Ecumenical Centre, Redditch,B97 4EX. Parking is at any of the Kingfisher Shopping Centre car parks. The Ecumenical centre is near to one the entrances to the shopping centre next to Ladbrokes.
There will be a Q&A session following each play.
Dementia Awareness Workshops
14 November 2.30-4.30pm – Sikh Cultural and Sports Centre, Leamington, CV31 3LZ- SOLD OUT. Parking at the Gudwara Temple car park off Tachbrook Park Drive CV34 6RH
17 November 3-5pm- Holy Trinity Church, Coventry, CV1 5EV-Pay SOLD OUT.
18 November 10-12 noon- Rugby Baptist Church, Rugby, CV21 2PJ- Pay what you can On street parking
18 November 2.30-4.30pm- Nuneaton library, Nuneaton, CV11 4DR- Pay what you can Parking and toilets at Sainsbury’s
19 November 10-12pm- Hastings Care Home, Malvern, WR14 3NA- Pay what you can
19 November 2.30-4.30pm- Tolly Community Centre, Worcester, WR4 9QW- SOLD OUT
20 November 10-12 noon- Deer Park Care Home, Ledbury, HR8 2XW- SOLD OUT
20 November 2.30-4.30pm- Belmont Community Centre, Hereford, HR2 7UQ SOLD OUT
21 November 2.30-4.30pm- Ecumenical Centre, Redditch, B97 4EX- SOLD OUT. Parking is at any of the Kingfisher Shopping Centre car parks. The Ecumenical centre is near to one the entrances to the shopping centre next to Ladbrokes.
*plus optional £1 booking fee which covers the costs incurred
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CREATIVE TEAM
- Writer/Director Helen Tennison
- Designer Zahra Mansouri
- Music Matt Eaton
- Producer Jenny Davis
Meet the cast
Eliza Ann Thompson
Playing Young Margaret and Dani
Eliza Ann is a 23 year old, actor/creator/movement artist, based in London and the West Midlands. Since graduating in 2022, with a First Degree in Acting, Theatre and Performance, she has continued to develop her skills in visual imagery and physical theatre. Eliza performed as Young Margaret in the 2023 and 2024 rendition of Navigating Margaret with ArtsUplift. She is now returning as Young Margaret and Dani, in this version of Navigating Margaret – The Tour (2025). Eliza is also an associate artist for the critically acclaimed Strange Futures Theatre Company, with whom she has written, devised and performed in multiple community-involved projects, including The Last Restaurant (2022), Slow Cooked Stories (2023) and On The Bare Hill (2024). The Tree Rings.
(2023) was shortlisted by both Underbelly and The Pleasance Charlie Hartill Fund. She has led workshops in puppetry and visual arts, of which involved drama students at The University of Worcester. Eliza has also supported multiple award nominated short films.
Lucinda Lloyd
Playing Magpie, Ma, Louise, Sarah
Lucinda graduated from the Academy Of Live & Recorded Arts completing the 3year Diploma in Acting. She continued her training with Anne Bogart (Viewpoints) and Seb Harcombe (Stanislavski). She won the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ award in the 168 LA Film Festival for her role in the film Home, dir: Debs Paterson. Theatre credits include Shall We Shog? (The Globe) dir: Ken Campbell; Decor Without Production 1 & 2, (The Royal Court) dir: Ken Campbell; Cathy,Wuthering Heights, (The Rosemary Branch and UK tour) dir: Helen Tennison; Hecuba in Hecuba, (The White Bear) dir: Justin Murray; Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, (Dirty Market Theatre) dir: Georgina Sowerby. Lucinda combines her skills as an actor, artist and writer. She was selected for The New Writers programme at The Royal Court & The Arcola as well as receiving a poetry writing award from The Arvon Foundation. She also received The Royal Female School of Art Award. In addition to her works being shown at The Arcola & The BAC, Lucinda is currently developing an original piece of theatre with St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney, London. This is the second time Lucinda has been a part of the company for Navigating Margaret.
Illona Linthwaite
Playing Margaret
After training at Rose Bruford’s Drama School Illona worked in repertory theatre for several years. She later formed her own company, writing and commissioning plays. In London she has acted at The Arcola, Lyric Hammersmith, Playhouse Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, Young Vic, National and RSC Theatre Companies. She recently worked with the Dot Collective, Bedouin Shakespeare, Punch Drunk, SLG Co. and Swamp Motel playing many glorious parts. Television work includes series Within These Walls, Shadow of the Noose, The Flockton Flyer, The Bill and several plays for Today. With her one woman plays she has toured many parts of the world. This is the third time Illona has played Margaret for Arts Uplift.
Madhav Vasantha
Playing Graham, Charlie and Aunty Edie
Madhav grew up in Bangalore, India and has lived and worked in the States and the UK since then. His recent credits include The Vanishing Elephant which premiered at the New Victory Theatre getting the NY Times Critics Choice followed by a tour of the UK and USA. Among his other theatre credits are Rajesh & Naresh, Lost souls, Pericles and The Tempest. He was also one of the Sketch Ensemble cast with the award winning (RTS 2020/21 Best Entertainment Programme) TV show Crackerjack (CBBC & BBC one) which can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.
Navigating Margaret has been made possible by the following sponsors and partners
by Arts Uplift
2024 REWIND 1970S WORKSHOPS
On September 23 2024, Arts Uplift and Sonrisa Arts delivered two creative workshops at the Fulbrook Centre, Oxford, as a pilot for Rewind 1970s: a health and heritage project that explores the heritage of 1970s Britain through the arts and reminiscence.
The workshops took place on two wards: City Community Hospital, a rehabilitation ward for older adults, and Sandford Ward, an older adult mental health inpatient ward. Service users from Cherwell Ward (older adult mental health inpatient ward), also joined the workshop on Sandford ward. The workshops were funded by Oxford City Council and supported by Oxford Health Arts Partnership and Arts Uplift.
The workshops were led by two highly experienced artists, a musician, Ant Kimber-McTiffen, and dance practitioner, Kath Kimber-McTiffen, who offered an inclusive, person-centred approach throughout the workshop, spending time talking to patients about their preferences, musical tastes, and memories of the 1970s, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all.
Patients and service users were asked how they felt using the happiness scale before and after the workshops; 100% either felt the same or were happier by the end of the workshop, with 84% suggesting they felt happier than they had been by the end of the workshops. Additionally, national evidence suggests that creative sessions like music and dance workshops can improve mood and reduce anxiety levels among patients, as well as encouraging increased social interaction and a sense of community within the hospital.
Music has also been shown to have a positive impact on perception of pain and overall well-being, contributing to a holistic approach to patient care. We know from anecdotal evidence from staff that patients request less pain medication when they are engaged in creative sessions.
Workshop Feedback
| Comments from patients and service users |
Comments from staff |
Comments from artists |
| ” It was just what I needed; I could do it every day.” |
“Its been a difficult morning and this has cheered everyone up” |
“It was fantastic to see how much recall people had from the 1970’s and hear all their stories and memories” |
| “This has given me such a boost and cheered up my morning.” |
“I needed that, I was stressed” |
“Great that staff were so enthusiastic and joined in the workshops, it made the atmosphere with the patients really lively, positive and motivating” |
| “It reminded me of good memories” |
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2023 PROJECT REWIND 1970S
Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Postcode Local Trust and Barchester Charitable Foundation Arts Uplift and Sonrisa Arts have joined together in an exciting project called ‘Rewind: 1970’s’: capturing a generation through the arts’, a community arts and heritage project in Coventry and Warwickshire.
We have been delivering 6 fun workshops in care homes, dementia cafes and older people’s friendship groups across Coventry and Warwickshire where we used creative dance, movement, music, reminiscence and popular culture from the 1970’s to inspire the participants to tell their personal stories and memories of growing up in the 1970’s. We have then created a dementia friendly scrap book from the memories which is printed and is available in various libraries across Coventry and Warwickshire and also available online HERE Read our evaluation report HERE
In phase 2 we created a fantastic dance and music show based on these memories and the memories of others groups stories which we performed to the groups that participated with 3 professional artists.
Tuesday 26 September 10.30 am Ettington Lodge 3pm Cedar Lodge care home
Wednesday 27 September 11am Meadow View care home 3pm Galanos House
Tuesday 3 October 10.30am Canley Age Uk Friendship Group 2.30pm Moat House Community Trust Tea&Chat
Wednesday 4 October 10.30am Cubbington Mill care home 3pm Holy Trinity Church, Nuneaton
Rewind: 1970’s
Dust off your flares and platform boots!
Rewind:1970’s, is inspired by real stories and memories of local Coventry and Warwickshire residents who lived through the 1970’s. All woven into a highly entertaining dance and music show celebrating the best and the worst of the decade.
What did you do when school was out for summer? Were you a dancing queen regular at The Locarno? An Angel Delight or a fruit and nutcase?
Rewind:1970’s gives more than a nod to the hit parade, disco dancing to YMCA, glamming it up to Get it On, punk rebellion to I fought the law and many more…..
Aimed at older adults, this fun interactive show will take you back to re-live your youth…
Rewind: 1970’s Creative Team
Movement Director: Kath Kimber-McTiffen
Musical Director, song arrangements & composer: Anthony Kimber-McTiffen
Set & Costume Design: Kirsty Harris
Creative Producer: Jenny Davis
Performers: Katie Albon, Anthony Kimber-McTiffen, Kath Kimber-McTiffen
Trailer
by Arts Uplift
COFFEE CONCERT FUNDRAISER FOR ARTS AND DEMENTIA
Join us for an interactive afternoon of classical and popular music from our wonderful musicians!
Sunday 3rd March, 3-5 PM
All Saints Parish Church, Priory Terrace, Leamington Spa CV31 1A
What will the afternoon involve?
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!
Find out more about the artists
MARTIN
CLAIRE
JIAFENG
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!
BUY TICKETS OR DONATE https://linktr.ee/artsuplift
Cancellation- if we need to cancel the event we can refund the ticket minus the booking fee
by Arts Uplift
ARTS & FIZZ EVENING
FUNDRAISER FOR ARTS AND DEMENTIA
Join us for an evening of painting led by our wonderful artist Jess & enjoy a glass of fizz!
Thursday 29th February 7-9 PM
All Saints Parish Church, Priory Terrace, Leamington Spa CV31 1AA
What will the evening involve?
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 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.’ 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.
Find out more about our artist Jess HERE
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
BOOK TICKETS www.linktr.ee/artsuplift
Cancellation- if we need to cancel the event we can refund the ticket minus the booking fee
by Arts Uplift
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.
by Arts Uplift
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
Dates and times: Fridays from 11.00am – 12.30pm
Place: Kenilworth Library, 11 Smalley Place, Kenilworth CV8 1QG
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.
Watch the documentary film by Earth Bound HERE
