Theatre show promotes hydration at Teesside care homes

THE MAGIC of theatre came to the bedsides of Teesside care home residents for an immersive multi-sensory performance designed to entertain as well as hydrate.

Elderly residents at two Hill Care Group homes in Middlesbrough and Saltburn were treated to a show called “Milk, Two Sugars” by the Woven Nest Theatre Company.

The sensory-focussed experienced is designed specifically for older people with dementia living in care homes, combining storytelling and performance with live music and puppetry to promote and aid hydration.

The show is based on a touring tea-trolley, which is operated by Clementine and Johnny, who invite the audience to join in on their tea-party cabaret.

This involved a puppet called Pip, who performed a tight rope walk, a set of musical teaspoons, and the serving of strawberry infused tea to the audience, as well as other theatrical and sensory surprises.

Betty Boys, 93, a resident at Hazelgrove Court Care Home, on Randolph Street, in Saltburn, was one of those to receive a bedroom performance.

She said: “Do you know how this makes me feel? Like my birthday has come early.”

Fellow Hazelgrove Court resident Sheila O’Neill, 84, said: “The show was amazing. Wonderful and out of this world.”

Jean Parker, 83, from The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, Middlesbrough, said: “Pip made the show.”

Lorraine Welsh, 61, also from The Gables, added: “I loved playing the spoons. They made a lovely sound.”

The visits were organised by Sharon Lewis and Samantha McCormick, activities coordinators at Hazelgrove Court Care Home and The Gables Care Home, respectively.

Sharon said: “This was such a wonderful experience for our residents. They all loved the show and the delightful strawberry tea was an added bonus and placed perfectly in the show.

“The bedside shows were so personal and made the residents so happy. We can’t thank the Woven Nest Theatre Company enough for visiting.”

The Woven Nest Theatre “Milk, Two Sugars” show has been funded by Arts Council England, Cultural Spring, The Allan Lane Foundation, The Barbour Foundation and Northumbria University, and was co-created with support from several North East care homes.