Care homes appeal for storytellers

Budding storytellers are invited to step forward to help Bupa residents enjoy a day of classic tales and stories to mark National Storytelling Week (January 29-February 5) when the art of storytelling is celebrated.

More than 300 Bupa care homes are hosting storytelling events throughout the UK, inviting local communities to join them and teaming up with schools to get children involved in writing and sharing their own tales.

Siobhan Drane, Bupa’s community affairs manager, said: “We’re on the look out for some lively and enthusiastic storytellers to really help bring the week to life.

“Good old fashioned storytelling brings generations together and this is a great opportunity to reminisce, share stories and let imaginations run wild. Anyone with their own tale to tell will also be most welcome to join us.”

This year, Bupa has teamed up with charity The Reader Organisation, which has been working with in care homes since 2006, promoting the links between reading and wellbeing. Residents will be reading and will be read extracts from “A little, Aloud”, a collection of short stories and poems.

Katie Clark, dementia and elderly care project manager for The Reader Organisation, said: “This appeal for storytellers is a fantastic way of promoting the real benefits that reading out loud can bring to care home residents, as well as encouraging people of all ages to come together to inspire creativity, capture memories and feed imaginations.”

Those interested in either attending, or taking part, in a storytelling event are asked to call 0845 600 4622 or email: [email protected].

Bexhill care homes taking part are Ancaster Court, Hastings Road, and Grosvenor Park, Brookfield Road.