Storymaking and Creative Groupwork with Older People

The author provides many practical ideas for group activities based on the stories.

Introduction. 1 Why Groups? Aims in organising a group. Contact and connection. The group as opportunity for sharing and community. Enjoyment. Self esteem. Reducing boredom and increasing interest. Maintaining and extending people's physical and mental abilities. Activities as an opportunity to use the person-centred approach. 2 The Story Session. Assistance in running the group. The make-up of a group. The format of a session. 3 Stories that Contain a Central Elderly Figure. Yaaba. Babka and the Golden Bird. Granny Evergreen. The old Woman and the Tree Children. The Three Blue Hats. The Pedlar of Swaffham. The Three Dancing Princesses. 4 The Theme of Loss in the Lives of Elderly People. Demeter and Persephone. Coyote and Eagle. The Crescent Moon Bear. 5 Loss of Home and Possessions. The Water of Life. Maple Leaf Devil. The Bird of Happiness. The Widow and the Honey Pots. The Shining Fish. How the Villagers found Wisdom. 6 The Theme of Marriage and the Joy of Union. Savitri and Satyavan. Gawain and Lady Ragnell. The Blue Flower of Beechy Hill. The Black Bull of Norway. Tam Lin. The Frog Princess. The Boa and the Mango Tree. Epilogue.