Westmead

This story was written for the Wood & Vale, during my ongoing work experience, appearing on page .....

It was sourced from a Westminster Arts Council press release. It concerns an extremely innovative approach by the council towards social care, particularly in the field of dementia, which culminated in a diary event that I was able to cover in person.

Home Is Where The Art Is

Residents of the Westmead Elderly Resource Centre performed a musical extravaganza on Friday, displaying a fine ear for a tune.

The performance, part of the Westmead Music Project, was conducted by musicians Fraser Trainer and Pete Whyman.

Pete Whyman performing alongside Westmead residents

The show was one of a number being organised by Westminster Arts, in an ongoing project to build partnerships with Westminster Adult Services, offering a growing expertise in the link between the arts and social care.

Kevin Williamson, Head of Housing and Care Services, said: “We had three or four generations of people gathered together here. Through this project, we aim to challenge people’s perceptions of the elderly.

“We hope to develop something quite innovative, to find ways of giving the staff at the home a different way to offer care. We would like to leave a certain legacy behind, to provide staff with the tools to engage the residents on a different level.”

Pete Whyman

Many of the residents of Westmead suffer from various forms of dementia, a particular issue which the music project aimed to tackle.

Musician Fraser Trainer has worked with the residents and staff of Westmead, alongside his colleague Pete Whyman, for the past four weeks in preparation for the grand performance. He said:

“It was so nice to see so many smiling faces together in the room. It’s been a huge journey for us.

"The residents composed at least fifty per cent of the final piece. Through this process, we tried to work on the strengths of everyone involved, to come up with innovative ways of challenging and dealing with things that could be viewed as weaknesses.”

The final piece was inspired by the lives, personalities, experiences, and imaginations of both the residents and the care workers.

Anything Goes!

A CD of the final performance is being produced for everybody involved. A DVD documenting the journey, including the final performance, is also under production.

Resident Vera Chapra was hugely impressed by the performance. “It was really very, very nice” she exclaimed. “Absolutely marvellous!”