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generAGE Theatre Company Session Plan: TASTE by Amy Louise Brown

Time period: 45 minutes in total


Forty-five minutes usually seems right as a maximum... the actual length will depend on who is involved Andrew Norris (10 minutes for Company to set up, 5 minutes to gather the Residents, 30 minutes to conduct the session)

Session Leader/s: Amy Brown & Poppy Lee


...at least two group leaders... opportunity for sharing and exchanging (between attendees) Andrew Norris

The first thing to determine when setting up a reminiscence group is what its function is intended to be. Andrew Norris

This particular workshop aims to focus its attention on the sense taste. Through using a variety of foods, all with a different texture and flavour, the Company aims to develop a remembrance of particular events and memories, in partnership with the Residents at The Boyne Residential Home.

Things that need to be researched before the session: Food allergies Consent for bringing food in from off the premises Severe dislikes of the Residents Age group of the residents

Food items that will be used: Liquorice Root Tea (Twice used from leaves, no sugar) Coconut Cake (With shredded parsnip and coconut flavouring on top) Stewed Apple

Items needed for the session: Napkins Paper bowls Paper plates Plastic utensils China mugs / Plastic beakers Coconut Cake Liquorice Root Tea Milk Hot water

Stewed Apple Serving utensils Rubber gloves Ribbon / Elastic band

0-10 minutes: Company will set the room up for the session, all tables and chairs to be moved to the side bar those set in a circle in the centre of the room. Overview of the session will be run through by the Session Leader to the Company and any questions will be asked and answered here. Allocate each member of generAGE a specific number and area to manage, they will take responsibility for involving and assisting the Residents who reside in that particular space. Food and tea should be carefully laid out to the side of the room, temperature and portion sides should be checked by the Staff of the Residential Home. Quantities are the responsibility of each Company member. Quantity of utensils and napkins must also be checked. Ribbon/elastic band will be laid down, out of the way for safety reasons, ready for the welcoming of the residents. The band will signify the community and bonding within The Boyne. The release of the band at the end of each session will signify a gentle transgression, letting go of the past and moving into the present, with their memories and experiences.

10-15 minutes: Welcoming the Residents into the space where the session will commence. Session Leader and Assistant to remain in the centre of the circle whilst the other members of generAGE assist the Residents who wish to participate with finding a seat comfortably. Session Leader to clearly and slowly introduce herself, the Company and the session. A clear outline of the contents of the session is to be provided. Allow time for questions from the Residents.

15-22 minutes: Liquorice Root on a small paper plate with a utensil and paper napkin, is to be given to each Resident by the Company member responsible. Session Leader is to deliver following questions and phrases to the group to encourage memories: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Remember, tasting the item is optional. It will not cause you any harm. Please ask your Company assistant for help should you require it. For those of you who wish to sample the item, slowly taste the item. Think about its texture. Is it rough, smooth? Think very slowly, about the flavour of the item. Do you know what you are tasting? Is it sweet, sour? Do you like the item? Do you remember when you first tasted the item? Who you were with or who gave you the item to taste?

6. 7.

Can you think of a story of memory involving the item? Take a few moments to think about what you have tasted. If you would like to share a memory, please raise your napkin. We would all very much like to hear your memories. Perhaps we may share the same memory with you!

Allow the sharing of memories and stories. Encourage their stories. Leader to be enthusiastic to all points shared. Session Assistant to take it in turns with the Session Leader to ask for a response. Company members to quietly clear items for the next tasting whilst responses being given.

22-29 minutes: Tea in a small china mug/plastic beaker with a new paper napkin, is to be given to each Resident by the Company member responsible. WARNING: THE TEMPERATURE OF THE TEA MUST BE CHECKED WITH THE STAFF BY THE SESSION ASSISTANT. ALL RISKS TO THE PHYSICAL WELL BEING OF THE RESIDENTS MUST BE ELIMINATED. Session Leader is to deliver following questions and phrases to the group to encourage memories: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Remember, tasting the item is optional. It will not cause you any harm. Please ask your Company assistant for help should you require it. For those of you who wish to sample the item, slowly taste the item. Think very slowly, about the flavour of the item. Do you know what you are tasting? Is it sweet, strong? Do you like the item? Do you remember when you first tasted the item? Who you were with or who gave you the item to taste? Can you think of a story of memory involving the item? Take a few moments to think about what you have tasted. If you would like to share a memory, please raise your napkin. We would all very much like to hear your memories. Perhaps we may share the same memory with you!

Allow the sharing of memories and stories. Encourage their stories. Leader to be enthusiastic to all points shared. Session Assistant to take it in turns with the Session Leader to ask for a response. Company members to quietly clear items for the next tasting whilst responses being given.

29-36 minutes: Coconut Cake on a small paper plate with a utensil and paper napkin, is to be given to each Resident by the Company member responsible. Session Leader is to deliver following questions and phrases to the group to encourage memories: 1. Remember, tasting the item is optional. It will not cause you any harm. Please ask your Company assistant for help should you require it.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

For those of you who wish to sample the item, slowly taste the item. Think about its texture. Is it rough, smooth? Think very slowly, about the flavour of the item. Do you know what you are tasting? Is it sweet, sour? Do you like the item? Do you remember when you first tasted the item? Who you were with or who gave you the item to taste? Can you think of a story of memory involving the item? Take a few moments to think about what you have tasted. If you would like to share a memory, please raise your napkin. We would all very much like to hear your memories. Perhaps we may share the same memory with you!

Allow the sharing of memories and stories. Encourage their stories. Leader to be enthusiastic to all points shared. Session Assistant to take it in turns with the Session Leader to ask for a response. Company members to quietly clear items for the next tasting whilst responses being given.

36-43 minutes: Stewed Apple in a small paper bowl with a utensil and paper napkin, is to be given to each Resident by the Company member responsible. Session Leader is to deliver following questions and phrases to the group to encourage memories: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Remember, tasting the item is optional. It will not cause you any harm. Please ask your Company assistant for help should you require it. For those of you who wish to sample the item, slowly taste the item. Think about its texture. Is it rough, smooth? Think very slowly, about the flavour of the item. Do you know what you are tasting? Is it sweet, sour? Do you like the item? Do you remember when you first tasted the item? Who you were with or who gave you the item to taste? Can you think of a story of memory involving the item? Take a few moments to think about what you have tasted. If you would like to share a memory, please raise your napkin. We would all very much like to hear your memories. Perhaps we may share the same memory with you!

Allow the sharing of memories and stories. Encourage their stories. Leader to be enthusiastic to all points shared. Session Assistant to take it in turns with the Session Leader to ask for a response. Company members to quietly clear items.

43-45 minutes: Session Leader to thank the Residents for their time and participation. Recap some of the memories that we shared and show an appreciation for their past.

Company to lift the band onto the laps of the Residents and told to release the band once the following conclusive speech has been made: Together, we shared our memories of the past, awarding them a place in the present. We thank you for your time and for sharing such wonderful memories with us today. By releasing this band, we are reassuring one another, that together as a community, we shall never forget the past. The past has made us who we are in the present, and it shall be treasured for generations. (Release the band and assist the residents in leaving the space)

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