TimeSlips Creative Storytelling success at Port Macquarie Library

TimeSlips Creative Storytelling participant Graeme Atkins turned three stories from the program into song form.

The musical performance attracted applause from the fellow participants.

The TimeSlips Creative Storytelling method allows meaningful moments with and for people with memory loss.

Creative ageing practitioner Lisa Hort shows participants a staged image, followed by asking open-ended questions about the image.

The story takes shape around the images.

Mr Atkins said he found the sessions to be quite interesting.

“It helps you think about things happening now,” he said.

“You are working with the current, rather than things from the past.”

Mr Atkins incorporated key words from the storytelling sessions into song in the process of creating a musical version of the stories.

Mr Atkins, with the support of his partner and carer Susan Murphy, is no stranger to performing in public.

He has written and performed many songs about dementia since his younger onset dementia diagnosis at the age of 54.

Meanwhile, there will be another round of creative storytelling sessions at Port Macquarie Library in August.

The first sessions at the library, under the guidance of Ms Hort, have been a success.

Ms Hort said each story had taken an interesting direction.

“Everything is accepted and they can go anywhere they want with the story,” she said.

The creative program for people living with memory loss aims to connect people, share stories and encourage social opportunities in a fun and relaxed environment.

The next four week program begins on August 2 at 1.30pm at Port Macquarie Library.

Bookings are essential.

Phone the library on 6581 8755 or email portlib@mnclibrary.org.au to make a booking.