Sion Pritchard joins Belonging for 2018 tour

Sion talks about his connection with dementia and why Belonging is important to him.

I have a connection to the issues that are dealt with in the play, because my dad was living with dementia for the last few years of his life. I wasn’t expecting to be reminded of lots of the stuff we experienced. Belonging really investigates that in a truthful, honest and humorous way.

My character is called Gareth and he is Sheila’s son. He seems to have his own life and he’s maybe in denial about his mother’s changes or struggling to accept that his mother is getting older and their relationship is changing. Gareth goes through a journey in the play where he begins to take on his responsibilities and learns that this can be a positive experience.

Gareth (Sion Pritchard) and Rhian (Karin Diamond) in Belonging

Gareth (Sion Pritchard) and Rhian (Karin Diamond) in Belonging

It’s important to me that Belonging looks at the idea of language. I think positive use of language can make a massive difference to someone’s care and quality of life. Welsh being a minority language in the UK means that it’s not always considered important. My niece is training to be a nurse and she is writing her dissertation on how the decline of the Welsh language in care impacts on older people. I hope that Belonging will help to raise awareness of the importance of Welsh language in healthcare provision.

I think this is the first time I’ve been in a play that will have a direct social impact and could actually change people’s lives.

Belonging is touring Wales from April 26. Please visit the Belonging page for venues and dates near you. http://www.re-live.org.uk/belonging/

Mae Sion Pritchard yn ymuno â Perthyn ar gyfer taith 2018

Mae gennyf gysylltiad â’r materion yr ymdrinnir â hwy yn y ddrama, oherwydd roedd fy nhad yn byw gyda dementia am ychydig flynyddoedd olaf ei fywyd. Doeddwn ddim yn disgwyl cael fy atgoffa o lawer o’r profiadau cawson ni. Mae Perthyn wir yn archwilio hynny mewn modd gwir, onest a llawn hiwmor.

Enw fy nghymeriad yw Gareth a fe yw mab Sheila. Mae’n ymddangos fel bod ganddo ei fywyd ei hun ac efallai ei bod yn gwrthod derbyn newidiadau ei fam neu’n cael trafferth derbyn bod ei fam yn heneiddio a bod eu perthynas yn newid. Mae Gareth yn mynd ar daith yn y ddrama ble mae’n cychwyn cymryd cyfrifoldeb am y sefyllfa a dysgu bod hyn yn gallu bod yn brofiad cadarnhaol.

Gareth (Sion Pritchard).

Gareth (Sion Pritchard).

Mae’n bwysig i mi fod Perthyn yn edrych ar y syniad o iaith. Rwy’n credu bod defnydd cadarnhaol o iaith yn gallu gwneud gwahaniaeth enfawr i ofal ac ansawdd bywyd unigolyn. Mae’r Gymraeg yn iaith leiafrifol yn y DU sy’n golygu ei bod ddim yn cael ei ystyried i fod yn bwysig o hyd.

Mae fy nith yn hyfforddi i fod yn nyrs ac mae hi’n ysgrifennu ei thraethawd estynedig ar sut mae dirywiad y Gymraeg yn y maes gofal yn effeithio ar bobl hŷn. Rwy’n gobeithio y bydd Perthyn yn helpu codi ymwybyddiaeth o bwysigrwydd y Gymraeg yn narpariaeth gofal iechyd.


Rwy’n credu mai dyma’r tro cyntaf i mi fod yn rhan o ddrama a fydd yn cael effaith gymdeithasol uniongyrchol a allai newid bywydau pobl.

Mae Perthyn yn teithio Cymru o fis Ebrill 26. Ewch i'r dudalen Perthyn am leoliadau a dyddiadau yn eich ardal chi. http://www.re-live.org.uk/perthyn

#Belonging2018 #Perthyn2018

#MeToo Wales: Stories from the Creative Industries

Following the outpouring of #MeToo stories from people who have experienced sexual harassment and abuses of power in the creative industries, Re-Live with support from Sherman Theatre will curate a bilingual event in which stories on this subject are heard for the first time in Wales.

The stories will be read by actors to an audience in the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff on Saturday Nov 25th. The stories will have all names, sensitive information and identifying details redacted, ensuring confidentiality and removing legal risk.

The aim of the event is to provide an opportunity for these stories to be witnessed by an audience followed by a discussion on how we work together to bring about change in the creative industries in Wales.

For more information about this event:

http://www.re-live.org.uk/metoo/

 

An exciting opportunity to work with Re-Live! Cyfle cynhyrfus i weithio gyda Re-Live!

We are looking for an experienced and meticulously organised individual with exceptional administrative coordination and marketing skills to join our small charity and to take the lead in co-ordinating our new training programme.

Please click on the link to find out more:

http://www.re-live.org.uk/training-programme-for-arts-practitioners/

‘Rydym yn chwilio am berson profiadol a thu hwnt o drefnus gyda sgiliau gweinyddol a sgiliau chydlynnu heb eu hail i ymuno â’n tîm elusenol bychan ac i gydlynnu’r rhaglen hyfforddi newydd. 

Cliciwch ar y ddolen i ddarganfod mwy:

http://www.re-live.org.uk/training-programme-for-arts-practitioners/

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Home Company perform @ Mental Health Arts Festival

The Coming Home Company will be sharing a powerful evening of song, spoken word and film as part of the Wales Mental Health Arts Festival on Wednesday November 23rd.

Performed by military veterans affected by post-traumatic stress, family and community members, and featuring uplifting performances from the Coming Home Choir, this will be a unique and memorable evening. 

We are excited to be part of the Wales Mental Health Arts Festival, which is challenging stigma and celebrating the power of creativity in mental health.

You can book tickets following the link below and please spread the word to friends and colleagues.

https://goo.gl/MnLkSa

Coming Home

Weston Studio, Wales Millennium Centre

Weds November 23rd 2016 @ 7.30pm

This project is supported by the Community Covenant Fund.

 

 

Invitation to Veterans and Family members of veterans

Coming Home to the Arts is now in its second year and we are inviting new veterans and family members to join our creative programme. Based at Chapter, Cardiff this is a friendly, supportive project where members of the local community and veterans and families come together to support one another in a positive way.

We start back on Friday 23rd September and runs for 10 Fridays until Dec 2nd. Participants are invited to take part in the whole day or half day.

Structure of the day:

11am - 1pm Coming Home Choir (open to veterans, family members and anyone from the wider community who would like to support) No previous singing experience required.

LUNCH

1.30pm -3.30pm Theatre based groupwork

The afternoon sessions are an opportunity for veterans and family members to explore issues affecting their wellbeing through theatre, reflective writing and discussion. This group is suitable for people wishing to explore ways of moving forward. This is a rolling group and new members can join at any time, but we invite you to commit to a 10 week programme.

This is not a therapy programme, this is an opportunity to:

  • Build your confidence and meet new people
  • Explore some of your thoughts and feelings in a supportive group environment
  • Learn new coping skills and identify goals for the future
  • Boost your mood by taking part in something positive and creative

The project is led by Alison O’Connor, an experienced groupworker and counsellor.

At the end of the 10 weeks there will be an invitation to contribute to a performance at the Mental Health Arts Festival. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of the issues around mental health for veterans and their families.

If you are interested in taking part, contact Alison on 07738 259906 for a chat or email alison@re-live.og.uk.

If you would like to speak to a veteran about his experience of the programme contact Dave on 07794 197253.

Belonging rehearsals underway!

It was a fantastic first week of rehearsals for the Belonging team. We are delighted to welcome guest director, the award-winning Peter Doran to the Re-Live camp! He has a superb cast and crew to guide through the next few weeks of rehearsal and discovery. We were delighted to bring in a variety of dementia experts from our Memoria project to share their experiences with the actors. There is a strong desire from the whole creative team to ensure their portrayals of families living with dementia and the roads they navigate are truthful, respectful and accurate. Can’t wait till May 2nd when the first audiences will see this brand new production and then the tour of Wales begins. Get your tickets now!